POTASSIUM CARBONATE ANHYDROUS, K2CO3, Carbonate of potash, Dipotassium carbonate, Sub-carbonate of potash, Pearl ash, Potash, Salt of tartar, Salt of wormwood.
Potassium carbonate is a potassium salt that is the dipotassium salt of carbonic acid. It has a role as a catalyst, a fertilizer and a flame retardant. Potassium carbonate anhydrous, K2CO3 anyydrous, appears as a white powder or as colorless solid crystal that is void of water and has a salty taste. ... It also used in fire extinguishers, to make soap, to make glass, and to soften water.
Potassium carbonate has many different functions and uses. It is primarily used in large industry, in the manufacture of chemicals, fertilisers, soap and glass. It is also used as a drying agent (it removes water from air) and to reduce acidity when producing mead or wine.
Potassium carbonate is a potassium salt that is the dipotassium salt of carbonic acid. It has a role as a catalyst, a fertilizer and a flame retardant.
Description
Potassium carbonate (K2CO3) is a white salt, soluble in water (insoluble in ethanol) which forms a strongly alkaline solution. It can be made as the product of potassium hydroxide's absorbent reaction with carbon dioxide.
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 138.205 g/mol |
| Melting point | 891 °C |
| pH | 11,0 - 13 at 138 g/l at 25 °C |
| Water solubility | 138 g/l at 20 °C - completely soluble |
| Density | 2,428 g/cm3 |
Uses
- Potassium carbonate is used as a mild drying agent.
- Used in the making of grass jelly.
- Used to produce Dutch process chocolate by alkalization.
- Used in the production of wire or mead by acting as a buffering agent.
- Used to soften hard water.
- Used in welding fluxes.
- Used as a fire suppressant.
Also known as potash or pearl ash, it may be used in pharmaceutical laboratories as a drying agent. It also used in fire extinguishers, to make soap, to make glass, and to soften water. All carbonate salts are on the FDA generally regarded as safe list.
