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Tartaric acid is a chiral compound, meaning that it occurs in multiple three-dimensional forms, or isomers. This property makes it a useful raw material in organic chemistry for the synthesis of other chiral molecules. The naturally occurring form of the acid is levotartaric or (-)-tartaric acid, also called d-2,3-dihydroxysuccinic acid or l-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid. The opposite form, dextrotartaric or (+)-tartaric acid, and the achiral form, mesotartaric acid, can be made artificially. The dextro- and levo- forms are said to be enantiomers of each other. The meso- form is said to be a diasteromer of the other two types. A mixture of the levo- and dextro- forms is called racemic tartaric acid or DL-tartaric acid.

Tartaric acid was first isolated from potassium tartrate, known to the ancients as tartar, in 1769 by the Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele. The chirality of tartaric acid was discovered in 1832 by Jean Baptiste Biot, who observed its ability to rotate polarized light. Louis Pasteur continued this research in 1847Events January 4 Samuel Colt sells his first revolver pistol to the United States government. January 13 The Treaty of Cahuenga ends the Mexican-American War in California. January 16 John C. Fremont is appointed Governor of the new California Territory. by investigating the shapes of tartaric acid crystals, which he found to be asymmetric. Pasteur was the first to produce a pure sample of levotartaric acid.

Important derivatives of tartaric acid include its salts, cream of tartarCream of tartar is the potassium salt of tartaric acid, KHCHO. It is a byproduct of wine making. Tartar or argol crystallizes in wine casks during the fermentation of grape juice. This crude form is collected and purified to produce the white, odorless, a (potassium hydrogen tartrate), Rochelle salt (potassium sodium tartrate, a mild laxativeA laxative is a preparation used for the purpose of encouraging defecation, or the elimination of feces. Laxatives are most often taken in response to constipation. They are also sometimes used before medical procedures. They are often abused by bulimics) and tartar emetic (antimony potassium tartrate).

Tartaric acid is a muscleskeletal muscle Muscle is one of the four tissue types. The other three types are: epithelium, connective tissue and nervous tissue. The primary purpose of muscle tissue is to contract. Muscle contraction is used to move parts of the body, as well as to m toxinA toxin is a substance that causes either permanent or reversible injury to the health of a living thing on contact or absorption, typically by interacting with biological macromolecules such as enzymes and receptors. The term is usually reserved for natu, which works by inhibiting the production of malic acidStructural formula of malic acid Malic acid is a tart-tasting organic acid that plays a role in many sour or tart foods. The chemical structure of malic acid is HOC-CH-CH(OH)-COH. Apples contain malic acid, which contributes to the sourness of a green app, and in high doses causes paralysis and death. The minimum recorded fatal dose for a human is about 12 grams. In spite of that, it is included in many foods, especially sour-tasting sweets.

When cream of tartar is added to water, a suspension results which serves to clean coins very well. The solution loosens surface dirt and grime on the coins. Then, the dirt can be wiped off quite easily.