(+)-Tartaric acid (CAS 87-69-4) — Citrus N/A Note Fragrance Ingredient
(+)-Tartaric acid
CAS 87-69-4
What Is (+)-Tartaric acid?
(+)-Tartaric acid is a naturally occurring acid found in grapes and other fruits. It’s commonly used in food as an acidity regulator (E334) and in winemaking. In perfumery, it serves as a pH adjuster and stabilizer rather than a fragrance ingredient. While odorless itself, tartaric acid helps maintain the integrity of fragrance compositions by preventing pH-related degradation of delicate aroma chemicals.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does (+)-Tartaric acid Smell Like?
Tartaric acid itself is odorless, presenting no olfactory characteristics. Its value in perfumery lies in its chemical properties rather than scent. The compound contributes to fragrance stability by maintaining optimal pH levels, preventing the premature breakdown of delicate top notes and ensuring consistent scent performance throughout a fragrance’s lifecycle.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: O[C@H]([C@@H](O)C(O)=O)C(O)=O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
(+)-Tartaric acid is a dicarboxylic acid with two chiral centers, occurring naturally in many plants. The dextrorotatory (+)-form is the most common naturally occurring enantiomer. Industrially, it’s produced as a byproduct of winemaking or synthesized from maleic anhydride. Its strong acidity and chelating properties make it valuable for stabilizing pH-sensitive fragrance compounds. The molecule’s rigid structure and multiple hydrogen bonding sites contribute to its effectiveness as a stabilizer.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Melting Point | 171-174 °C |
|---|---|
| Solubility | 139 g/L in water (20°C) |
| Density | 1.76 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fragrance Stabilization | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | pH adjustment and chelation |
| Alcohol-based Perfumes | 0.05-0.2% | Up to 0.3% | Prevents ester hydrolysis |
Classic Accords
Tip: Add to alcohol base before other ingredients to establish optimal pH for fragrance stability.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Milder acid with similar pH-stabilizing properties, though less effective for preventing metal-catalyzed oxidation in fragrances.
Antioxidant properties help prevent oxidation, though requires careful pH monitoring as it degrades over time.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions apply to (+)-tartaric acid as it is not a fragrance material but a processing aid.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has evaluated tartaric acid as safe for use in cosmetic applications at current usage levels.
Sustainability
Tartaric acid is often sourced sustainably as a byproduct of the wine industry. Synthetic production from maleic anhydride requires careful waste management but offers consistent quality. The natural form has lower environmental impact when derived from winemaking waste streams.
Explore (+)-Tartaric acid
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for CID 875, Tartaric acid PubChem CID 875
- EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2015). Re-evaluation of tartaric acid (E 334). EFSA Journal DOI:10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4080
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID8023632
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 150.086 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.719 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 217.75 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 162.521 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 209.6 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.586 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 79.579 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | -0.995 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | -5.649 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | -6.756 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.61 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 3.055 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 31.383 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 78.458 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 176.131 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 115.06 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 4 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 4 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 26.697 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 10.583 Å^3📊 OPERA |
Data Sources:
🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.
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