Potassium carbonate
IUPAC name	Potassium carbonate
Other names	Potash, pearlash
Identifiers
CAS number	584-08-7
RTECS number	TS7750000
Properties
Molecular formula	K2CO3
Molar mass	138.2055 g/mol
Appearance	White deliquescent solid
Density	2.29 g/cm3, solid
Melting point	891 °C Image File history File links Potassium_carbonate. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (689x676, 87 KB) Summary A sample of anhydrous potassium carbonate. ... IUPAC nomenclature is a system of naming chemical compounds and of describing the science of chemistry in general. ... CAS registry numbers are unique numerical identifiers for chemical compounds, polymers, biological sequences, mixtures and alloys. ... RTECS, also known as Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances, is a database of toxicity information compiled from the open scientific literature that is available for charge. ... A chemical formula is a concise way of expressing information about the atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound. ... Molar mass is the mass of one mole of a chemical element or chemical compound. ... For other uses, see Density (disambiguation). ... The melting point of a crystalline solid is the temperature range at which it changes state from solid to liquid. ...
Boiling point	Decomposes Italic text This article is about the boiling point of liquids. ...
Solubility in water	112 g/100 mL (20 °C)
Hazards
NFPA 704	Solubility is a chemical property referring to the ability for a given substance, the solute, to dissolve in a solvent. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... NFPA 704 is a standard maintained by the U.S. National Fire Protection Association. ... Image File history File links NFPA_704. ... 0 2 0
Flash point	Not flammable
Related Compounds
Other cations	Lithium carbonate, sodium carbonate, caesium carbonate
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

Potassium carbonate is a white salt, soluble in water (insoluble in alcohol), which forms a strongly alkaline solution. It can be made as the product of potassium hydroxide's absorbent reaction with carbon dioxide. It is deliquescent, often appearing a damp or wet solid. Potassium carbonate is used in the production of soap and glass. For other uses, see Flash point (disambiguation). ... This article is about the electrically charged particle. ... Lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) is a chemical compound of lithium and carbonate that is used as a mood stabilizer in psychiatric treatment of manic states and bipolar disorder. ... Sodium carbonate (also known as washing soda or soda ash), Na2CO3, is a sodium salt of carbonic acid. ... Caesium carbonate (or cesium carbonate in the US) is a white crystalline solid of formula Cs2CO3. ... The plimsoll symbol as used in shipping In chemistry, the standard state of a material is its state at 1 bar (100 kilopascals exactly). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Solution. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The common (Arrhenius) definition of a base is a chemical compound that either donates hydroxide ions or absorbs hydrogen ions when dissolved in water. ... The chemical compound potassium hydroxide, (KOH) sometimes known as caustic potash, potassa, potash lye, and potassium hydrate, is a metallic base. ... Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom. ... Deliquescent materials are substances (mostly salts) which have a strong affinity for moisture and will absorb relatively large amount of water from the atmosphere if exposed to it, forming a liquid solution. ... For other uses, see Solid (disambiguation). ... A collection of decorative soaps used for human hygiene purposes. ... This article is about the material. ...

History

Potassium carbonate was first identified in 1742 by Antonio Campanella and is the primary component of potash and the more refined pearlash or salts of tartar. Historically pearlash was created by baking potash in a kiln to remove impurities. The fine white powder remaining was the pearlash. The first patent issued by the U.S. Patent Office was awarded to Samuel Hopkins in 1790 for an improved method of making pearlash. Potash Potash (or carbonate of potash) is an impure form of potassium carbonate (K2CO3) mixed with other potassium salts. ... Potassium carbonate is a white salt, soluble in water (insoluble in alcohol), which forms a strongly alkaline solution. ... Potassium carbonate is a white salt, soluble in water (insoluble in alcohol), which forms a strongly alkaline solution. ... Potash Potash (or carbonate of potash) is an impure form of potassium carbonate (K2CO3) mixed with other potassium salts. ... Charcoal Kilns, California Gold Kiln, Victoria, Australia Hop kiln. ... For other uses, see Patent (disambiguation). ... PTO headquarters in Alexandria The United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO or USPTO) is an agency in the United States Department of Commerce that provides patent and trademark protection to inventors and businesses for their inventions and corporate and product identification. ... Samuel Hopkins ( December 9, 1743 – 1818 ) was an American inventor from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... Year 1790 (MDCCXC) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ...

In late 18th century North America, before the development of baking powder, pearlash began to be used as a leavening agent in "quick breads". (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... Baking powder Baking Powder is a dry chemical leavening agent used in baking and deodorizing. ... A leavening agent (sometimes called just leavening or leaven) is a substance used in doughs and batters that causes a foaming action. ... For other uses, see Bread (disambiguation). ...

Other terms for potassium carbonate:

• Carbonate of potash
• Dipotassium carbonate
• Dipotassium salt
• Pearl ash
• Potash
• Salt of tartar
• Salt of wormwood

Potash Potash (or carbonate of potash) is an impure form of potassium carbonate (K2CO3) mixed with other potassium salts. ...

Production

Today potassium carbonate is prepared commercially by the electrolysis of potassium chloride. The resulting potassium hydroxide is then carbonated using carbon dioxide to form potassium carbonate, which is often used to produce other potassium compounds. This article is about the chemical process. ... The chemical compound potassium chloride (KCl) is a metal halide composed of potassium and chlorine. ... The chemical compound potassium hydroxide, (KOH) sometimes known as caustic potash, potassa, potash lye, and potassium hydrate, is a metallic base. ... Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom. ...

2KOH + CO₂ → K₂CO₃ + H₂O

Applications

Pearlash has been used for soap, glass, and china production. A collection of decorative soaps used for human hygiene purposes. ... This article is about the material. ...

In the laboratory, it may be used as a mild drying agent where other drying agents such as calcium chloride may be incompatible. However, it is not suitable for acidic compounds. A dessicant is a hygroscopic substance that induces or sustains a state of dryness (desiccation) in its local vicinity in a moderately-well sealed container. ... Calcium chloride is an ionic compound of calcium and chlorine. ...

Mixed with water it causes an exothermic reaction that results in a temperature change, producing heat. In chemistry, an exothermic reaction is one that releases heat . ...

In cuisine, it is used as an ingredient in the production of grass jelly, a food consumed in Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisines. Leaf jelly Chinese: Malay name Malay: cincau Vietnamese name Vietnamese: Grass jelly, or Leaf jelly , is jelly-like dessert drink found in China, Taiwan and Southeast Asia. ...

Potassium carbonate, is being used as the electrolyte in many cold fusion experiments. An electrolyte is a substance containing free ions that behaves as an electrically conductive medium. ... This article is about the nuclear reaction. ...

References

A Dictionary of Science, Oxford University Press Inc., New York 2003 Oxford University Press (OUP) is a highly-respected publishing house and a department of the University of Oxford in England. ... A corporation (usually known in the United Kingdom and Ireland as a company) is a legal entity (distinct from a natural person) that often has similar rights in law to those of a Civil law systems may refer to corporations as moral persons; they may also go by the name... This article is about the state. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• International Chemical Safety Card 1588