01
THE ESSENTIALS
Tartaric Acid in 30 Seconds
There are two acidic ends and two hydroxyl groups in the middle. The same connectivity can describe different three-dimensional forms.
Tartaric acid has two carboxyl groups and two hydroxyl-bearing carbons. Its stereochemistry makes L, D, DL, and meso forms an essential distinction; this page focuses on L-(+)-tartaric acid. [1] [3]
Safety at a glance — The listed Sigma L-(+)-tartaric acid product 251380 (US listing) is classified as causing serious eye damage (H318). Supplier classifications differ; this must not be generalized to every tartaric-acid product. [4]
Condensed connectivity schematic; see the specified stereochemical identity below. [1]
02
GO A LITTLE DEEPER
Understanding Tartaric Acid
THE SIMPLE EXPLANATION
The functional groups
There are two acidic ends and two hydroxyl groups in the middle. The same connectivity can describe different three-dimensional forms. [1]
A LITTLE DEEPER
What the structure changes
The L form shown here has the (2R,3R) configuration. A condensed connectivity drawing does not establish that configuration by itself. Product labels, CAS identity, and optical specifications must agree. [1] [4] [5] [6]
Technical detail Identity, dissociation & specification
All three selected products use L-tartaric acid CAS 87-69-4. TCI separately reports chemical assay >99.0% by titration and optical purity ≥99.5% ee by LC. Enantiomeric excess (ee) is a stereochemical measurement and is not the same quantity as chemical assay. The aqueous pKa reference is for the L-(+) identity at 25 °C and zero ionic strength. [1] [2] [4] [5] [6]
Acid–base reference values describe equilibria under specified conditions. They are not a substitute for a validated formulation or an assay on the purchased lot.
03
MAKE THE CONNECTION
How Tartaric Acid Compares
Similar names and functional groups do not mean interchangeable chemicals.
SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON
Tartaric Acid vs Malic Acid
Dihydroxydicarboxylic acid
versusHydroxydicarboxylic acid
Fixed comparison for this prototype. Acid selectors are disabled; additional comparisons are coming later.
| Property | Tartaric Acid | Malic Acid |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C₄H₆O₆ [1] | C₄H₆O₅ [7] |
| Molecular weight | 150.09 g/mol [1] | 134.09 g/mol [7] |
| Carbon atoms | 4 [1] | 4 [7] |
| Carboxyl groups | 2 [1] | 2 [7] |
| Structure | HOOC–CH(OH)–CH(OH)–COOH [1] | HOOC–CH₂–CH(OH)–COOH [7] |
| Chemical family | Dihydroxydicarboxylic acid [1] | Hydroxydicarboxylic acid [7] |
| Identity focus | Solid · L-(+) identity [1] | Solid · DL identity [7] |
| pKa context | 3.036 / 4.366 (25 °C, water, zero ionic strength; L-(+) form) [2] | 3.51 / 5.03 (20 °C; OECD 112) [11] |
Chemical identities are compared here; supplier grades, concentrations, and stereochemical specifications are separate purchasing attributes. pKa values retain their stated conditions; no quantitative solubility ranking is implied. The structure schematic does not encode stereochemistry.
When Might You Choose One Instead of the Other?
Use L-tartaric acid when a resolution or formulation method explicitly calls for that form. Use the specified malic stereoisomer for a malate-based method. A generic “tartaric acid” quote should be clarified before comparing prices. [1] [3] [7]
Specified starting material
Tartaric Acid
Match HOOC–CH(OH)–CH(OH)–COOH and the method’s required chemical form.
Malic Acid
Match HOOC–CH₂–CH(OH)–COOH; verify the identity before substituting a related acid.
Before choosing: match the reaction or formulation, then verify the exact form, grade, assay basis, and impurities. These contexts do not establish suitability for an industrial or regulated application.
04
FROM STRUCTURE TO APPLICATION
What Is Tartaric Acid Used For?
06
SOURCE WITH CONTEXT
Tartaric Acid Suppliers
Compare specific products and package options. Listings are not ranked recommendations.
3 suppliers · 3 products · 6 package listingsLatest supplier check: October 3, 2026
Package sizes stay grouped under the supplier product. Assay methods, product forms, and regional markets remain visible. Require L-(+) identity, stereochemical specification, and separate chemical and optical assay.
Scroll horizontally if needed. Supplier and package identity stay visible.
| Supplier | Product / Grade | Purity / Assay | Package Size | Public Price | Normalized Price | Documentation | Last Checked | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma-AldrichTartaric Acid | ACS reagent · L form251380-100G | ≥99.5% | 100 g | $61.30USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | COA lookup on product page (opens new tab)SDSCheck supplierCOO lookup on product page (opens new tab) Document notes: Sigma-Aldrich
| View Product: Sigma-Aldrich, 251380-100G (opens new tab) | |
| ACS reagent · L form251380-500G | ≥99.5% | 500 g | $144.00USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | View Product: Sigma-Aldrich, 251380-500G (opens new tab) | |||
| TCITartaric Acid | Check supplierT0025L form; optical purity ≥99.5% ee (LC) is a separate specification. | >99.0% (titration) | 25 g | $17.00USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | Document notes: TCI
| View Product: TCI, T0025 (opens new tab) | |
| Check supplierT0025L form; optical purity ≥99.5% ee (LC) is a separate specification. | >99.0% (titration) | 500 g | $47.00USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | View Product: TCI, T0025 (opens new tab) | |||
| FUJIFILM WakoTartaric Acid | Guaranteed Reagent · L form203-00052 | ≥99.5% (mass/mass, titration) | 25 g | $32.00USD · US list price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | Document notes: FUJIFILM Wako
| View Product: FUJIFILM Wako, 203-00052 (opens new tab) | |
| Guaranteed Reagent · L form207-00055 | ≥99.5% (mass/mass, titration) | 500 g | $49.00USD · US list price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | View Product: FUJIFILM Wako, 207-00055 (opens new tab) |
Sigma-Aldrich
Tartaric Acid
ACS reagent · L form
100 g
251380-100G- Public price
- $61.30USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
500 g
251380-500G- Public price
- $144.00USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
Documentation
COA lookup on product page (opens new tab)SDSCheck supplierCOO lookup on product page (opens new tab)
Document notes: Sigma-Aldrich
- A product-specific certificate retrieval option was visible; no lot certificate was reviewed. Open the product page and use its certificate section.
- A current regional SDS was not verified in this pass.
- A product-specific Certificate of Origin retrieval option was visible; no origin certificate was reviewed. Country of origin is unverified and is not inferred.
Last checked:
TCI
Tartaric Acid
Check supplier
L form; optical purity ≥99.5% ee (LC) is a separate specification.
25 g
T0025- Public price
- $17.00USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
500 g
T0025- Public price
- $47.00USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
Documentation
Document notes: TCI
- A product-specific certificate retrieval option was visible; no lot certificate was reviewed. Open the product page and use its certificate section.
- A current regional SDS was not verified in this pass.
- Origin-document availability was not verified. Country of origin is unverified and is not inferred.
Last checked:
FUJIFILM Wako
Tartaric Acid
Guaranteed Reagent · L form
25 g
203-00052- Public price
- $32.00USD · US list price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
500 g
207-00055- Public price
- $49.00USD · US list price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
Documentation
Document notes: FUJIFILM Wako
- A product-specific certificate retrieval option was visible; no lot certificate was reviewed. Open the product page and use its certificate section.
- A current regional SDS was not verified in this pass.
- Origin-document availability was not verified. Country of origin is unverified and is not inferred.
Last checked:
Documentation evidence
COA = Certificate of Analysis · SDS = Safety Data Sheet · COO = Certificate of Origin.
Lookup means a retrieval option was visible, not that a lot certificate was reviewed. Check supplier means availability or the applicable document was not verified.
Prices may vary by quantity, account, contract, geography, and availability. These products have different grades, assay bases, or forms; no normalized comparison is shown. Foreign-market prices are reference listings only. No currency conversion, mass-to-volume conversion, or ranking is applied. Confirm equivalent specifications and a current quote before comparison. [4] [5] [6]
Verification limits & placement policy
NIST provides condition-defined pKa values for L-(+)-tartaric acid. A properly specified L-form quantitative saturation value is still needed for solution design. Optical purity and chemical assay remain separate specifications.
Only the displayed identity, specification, packages, public prices and stated documentation evidence were reviewed. Current stock, lead times, shipping eligibility, contract pricing, lot certificates, and regulatory suitability are unverified.
There are no paid placements. Future paid listings will show “Sponsored” in both views; payment will not determine chemistry interpretation or imply a ranking.
07
PLAN A LARGER ORDER
Need Tartaric Acid in Bulk?
Turn your requirements into a clear supplier brief.
Bulk RFQ feature — coming soon. Prototype form: submissions are not currently sent to suppliers. Use sample details to prepare an on-screen brief.
Prepare a bulk request Prototype form
08
A BUYER’S CHECKLIST
Before You Buy Tartaric Acid
Selections remain only while this page is open.
09
FOR YOUR REFERENCE
Tartaric Acid Technical Reference
Identity, product reference properties, and handling context.
Identification Names, formula & identifiers
- Principal CAS
- 87-69-4
- Identity focus
- Solid · L-(+) identity
- Formula
- C₄H₆O₆
- Molecular weight
- 150.09 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- (2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid
- Connectivity SMILES
- C(C(C(=O)O)O)(C(=O)O)O
- PubChem CID
- 444305
Connectivity SMILES describes connectivity; it is not an independent stereochemical assignment. CAS and product-form distinctions are supported by the supplier listings. [1] [4] [5] [6]
Physical Properties Product references & conditions
L-(+)-tartaric acid is readily soluble in water (FAO/WHO reference). Sigma’s listed L-form product reports a melting range of 170–172 °C; this must not be replaced with a DL-tartaric value. No quantitative saturation concentration is recommended here. [13] [4]
Hydrate, concentration, stereoisomer, and temperature can change the relevant specification. Product reference data are not a reviewed lot certificate.
Acid/Base Properties Verified values & missing data
Reference pKa: 3.036 / 4.366 (25 °C, water, zero ionic strength; L-(+) form). [2]
NIST provides condition-defined pKa values for L-(+)-tartaric acid. A properly specified L-form quantitative saturation value is still needed for solution design. Optical purity and chemical assay remain separate specifications.
Temperature, ionic strength, and the use of activities versus concentrations matter in quantitative work. These reference values are not buffer recipes.
Safety at a Glance Product-specific hazards
The listed Sigma L-(+)-tartaric acid product 251380 (US listing) is classified as causing serious eye damage (H318). Supplier classifications differ; this must not be generalized to every tartaric-acid product. [4]
Hazard classifications can vary by concentration, formulation, supplier and jurisdiction. Review the SDS for the exact product before handling. This summary does not replace the SDS.
Supplier safety information and SDS retrieval (opens new tab)
A product-page safety classification is not verification of every regional SDS. Confirm product code, chemical form and current local document.
Review supplier documentation10
COMMON QUESTIONS
Tartaric Acid FAQ
What distinguishes Tartaric Acid?
There are two acidic ends and two hydroxyl groups in the middle. The same connectivity can describe different three-dimensional forms. [1]
How does it differ from Malic Acid?
Malic acid has one hydroxyl-bearing stereocenter; tartaric acid has two hydroxyl-bearing carbons. Choosing between them changes both functional-group count and stereochemical requirements. [7]
What must a buyer specify?
Require L-(+) identity, stereochemical specification, and separate chemical and optical assay. [4]
Are the listed products directly price-comparable?
No. The table retains differing grades, assay bases, forms, and markets. No normalized ranking or currency conversion is applied. [5]
What reference data still need checking?
NIST provides condition-defined pKa values for L-(+)-tartaric acid. A properly specified L-form quantitative saturation value is still needed for solution design. Optical purity and chemical assay remain separate specifications.
Can I request a bulk quote here?
The RFQ is a prototype that prepares an on-screen brief. Nothing is sent to suppliers. Confirm actual bulk terms directly with the supplier.
11
TRACE THE INFORMATION
Sources & Editorial Notes
Identity and compiled reference values are separated from supplier-specific specifications. Structural comparisons and buyer guidance are editorial interpretation. Sources were checked October 3, 2026; supplier information can change.
- PubChem · chemical identity (opens new tab)
Official PUG REST identity record: formula, molecular weight, IUPAC name, and connectivity SMILES.
- NIST · L-(+)-tartaric acid aqueous ionization (opens new tab)
Goldberg, Kishore and Lennen (2002), table 7.63: evaluated aqueous pKa at 25 °C and zero ionic strength.
- PubChem · applications (opens new tab)
Compiled application references; uses of derivatives are distinguished from direct use of the acid.
- Sigma-Aldrich · commercial product (opens new tab)
Direct product listing checked October 3, 2026. Product-specific grade, assay, package, public price and documentation retrieval evidence. Product-page safety information applies to the identified product and regional listing, not every grade or jurisdiction.
- TCI · commercial product (opens new tab)
Direct product listing checked October 3, 2026. Product-specific grade, assay, package, public price and documentation retrieval evidence. Product-page safety information applies to the identified product and regional listing, not every grade or jurisdiction.
- FUJIFILM Wako · commercial product (opens new tab)
Direct product listing checked October 3, 2026. Product-specific grade, assay, package, public price and documentation retrieval evidence. Product-page safety information applies to the identified product and regional listing, not every grade or jurisdiction.
- Malic Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Primary comparison identity. Explanations of structural differences are editorial interpretation of verified identities.
- Citric Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Related chemical identity; relevance is based on structure or the stated application relationship.
- Succinic Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Related chemical identity; relevance is based on structure or the stated application relationship.
- Lactic Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Related chemical identity; relevance is based on structure or the stated application relationship.
- Malic Acid · acid–base reference (opens new tab)
The primary comparison’s pKa source; reference conditions are preserved.
- OpenStax · Citric acid cycle (opens new tab)
Succinate and fumarate in the citric acid cycle; salts/ions are distinguished from purchased free acids.
- FAO/WHO · Tartaric acid (opens new tab)
Authoritative description of water solubility. Used only qualitatively; its solvent-volume statement is not converted to a saturation concentration.
Review limits
NIST provides condition-defined pKa values for L-(+)-tartaric acid. A properly specified L-form quantitative saturation value is still needed for solution design. Optical purity and chemical assay remain separate specifications.
This informational prototype is not a supplier, quotation service, or endorsement of a product’s fitness for an application. Buyers should verify the applicable specification, certification, and regulatory requirements for their intended use.