Potassium carbonate

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 absorbant reaction with carbon dioxide. It is a deliquescent (usually damp or wet) solid, used in the production of soap and glass.

Related Topics:
Soluble - Water - Alcohol - Alkaline - Potassium hydroxide - Carbon dioxide - Deliquescent - Solid

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Properties

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General

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Name

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Potassium carbonate

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Chemical formula

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K2CO3

Related Topics:
K₂ - CO₃

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Appearance

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White solid

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Physical

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Formula weight

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138.2 amu

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Melting point

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1164 K (891 °C)

Related Topics:
K - °C

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Boiling point

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Decomposes at ?

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Density

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2.4 ×103 kg/m3

Related Topics:
Kg - M

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Crystal structure

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Solubility

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93.7 g in 100g water

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Thermochemistry

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ΔfH0liquid

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-1123 kJ/mol

Related Topics:
KJ - Mol

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ΔfH0solid

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-1151 kJ/mol

Related Topics:
KJ - Mol

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S0solid

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156 J/mol·K

Related Topics:
J - Mol - K

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Safety

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Ingestion

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Severe irritation may result.Do not induce vomiting.

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Inhalation

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Acts as an irritant.

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Skin

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Acts as an irritant.

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Eyes

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Acts as an irritant

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More info

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Hazardous Chemical Database

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SI units were used where possible. Unless otherwise stated, standard conditions were used.

Related Topics:
SI - Standard

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Disclaimer and references

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Potassium carbonate 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. Pearlash has been used for soap, glass, and china production. The first patent issued by the U.S. Patent Office was awarded to Samuel Hopkins in 1790 for an improved method of making pearlash.

Related Topics:
Potash - Kiln - Soap - Glass - China - Patent - U.S. Patent Office - Samuel Hopkins - 1790

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In late 18th century North America, before the development of baking powder, pearlash began to be used as as a leavening agent in "quick breads".

Related Topics:
18th century - North America - Baking powder - Leavening agent - "quick breads"

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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.

Related Topics:
Electrolysis - Potassium chloride - Potassium hydroxide - Carbon dioxide - Potassium - Compounds

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Other terms for potassium carbonate include:

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• carbonate of potash,

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• dipotassium carbonate,
• dipotassium salt,
• pearl ash,
• pot ash,
• salt of tartar, and
• salt of wormwood.
 
Potassium carbonate: References ►