Question

Which of the following is the formula of tartar emetic?
A.




B.




C.



D.

Answer 1

Hint: Tartaric acid is an organic acid that occurs naturally in so many fruits like grapes, bananas, tamarinds, etc. Its chemical formula is HO2CCH(OH)CH(OH)CO2H. The salts of tartaric acids are called cream of tartar, which forms during the process of fermentation.

Complete step by step solution:Tartaric acid is an organic acid and is a derivative of succinic acid. It contains two hydroxy groups and two carboxylic acid groups. There are several derivatives of tartaric acid like the salt of tartaric acid, cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate), Rochelle salt (potassium sodium tartrate), and tartar emetic (antimony potassium tartrate).
Structures of most common salts of tartaric acid-
1. Potassium tartrate/ dipotassium tartrate/ argol with chemical formula K2C4H4O6.
 
2. Potassium bitartrate/ potassium hydrogen tartrate/ cream of tartar with chemical formula KC4H5O6.

3. Potassium sodium tartrate tetrahydrate/ Rochelle Salt/ is a double salt with the chemical formula KNaC4H4O6.






4. Antimony potassium tartrate/ tartar emetic with chemical formula K2Sb2(C4H2O6)2.

5. Diisopropyl tartrate is a diester of tartaric acid with the chemical formula C10H18O6.

So, these are some examples of salts of tartaric acid and we can see that Antimony potassium tartrate is called tartar emetic. So, all the above answers are incorrect but since tartar emetic can be prepared by heating potassium tartrate with antimony oxide. Hence, the correct answer is Potassium Tartrate.


Thus, Option (C) is correct

Note: Antimony potassium tartrate is called tartar emetic because emetic means the medicine or any substance that causes the feeling of nausea and vomiting. It is toxic in nature but it is used to have an emetic effect and consumed in small quantities with wine.