Potassium bicarbonate
General Product Information
| Article | Potassium bicarbonate |
| Synonyms | Potassium hydrogencarbonate, Potassium acid carbonate |
| CAS No. | 298-14-6 |
| EEG No. | – |
| EINECS No. | 206-059-0 |
| IMO | – |
| Tariff Code | 28364000 |
| UN No. | – |
| VLG/ADR | – |
Description
Potassium bicarbonate is a white, crystalline powder used in numerous industrial and commercial Applications. It acts as a mild alkaline agent and is highly soluble in water. This compound is often used as a buffer, acidity regulator or source of potassium. Its low toxicity and environmentally friendly profile make it a popular alternative to sodium bicarbonate in Applications where a reduced sodium content is desired.
Characteristics
- Odor: –
- Hygroscopic: Yes.
- Color: White.
- Grade: Technical.
- Solubility: Highly soluble in water; insoluble in ethanol.
- Taste: –
- Shape: Crystalline powder.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Chemical Structure | KHCO3 |
| Molar Weight | 100.12 g/mol |
| Melting Point. | Decomposes at Approx. 292°C (no melting point) |
| Boiling Point | – |
| Density | 2.17 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | – |
| pH | Approx. 8.2 (on 1% solution) |
Applications
Potassium bicarbonate is applied in various ways, for instance:
1. Agriculture
In organic Agriculture, it is used as a fungicide to control powdery mildew on grapes, vegetables and fruits. The product is approved for use in organic cultivation under EU regulations.
2. Chemical Industry
Applied as a pH buffer in laboratories, in production processes and as a raw material for the synthesis of other potassium compounds.
3. Fire Extinguishers
In some dry-chemistry fire extinguishers, potassium bicarbonate is used as an extinguishing agent because of its ability to chemically interrupt the combustion reaction.
Interessing Links
- CAS Common Chemistry – Potassium Bicarbonate
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – For chemical information and regulations.
- PubChem – Potassium Bicarbonate – Chemical information by the National Library of Medicine der National Center for Biotechnology Information (NIH-NCBI).
- Wikipedia – Potassium bicarbonate