In tea leaves, caffeine is present along with other compounds such as tannins and cellulose. Tannins are a class of compounds forming part of the esters, and by hydrolysis they form the corresponding acid, the gallic acid, and the corresponding phenol, glucose. Cellulose, on the other hand, is a polymer of glucose, practically insoluble in water.
The derivatives of tannins hydrolysis can be precipitated as little calcium-soluble salts with the addition of CaCO3. So, gallic acid can be preciptated by the reaction
[tex]2 \ce{R-COOH + CaCO_{3}} \rightarrow \ce{(R-COO)_{2}Ca\downarrow + \; CO_{2} + H_{2}O}[/tex]
Glucose can precipitate in the same way? If can do it, what is the reaction?
Thanks in advance