Potassium carbonate

Overview

Potassium carbonate (chemical formula: K2CO3, English Potassiumcarbonate), also known as potassium alkali, is colorless crystals or white particles in appearance, easily soluble in water, and its solution is strongly alkaline. Cooling its saturated aqueous solution, a glassy monoclinic hydrate 2K2CO3·3H2O crystallizes out, with a density of 2.043, and loses crystal water at 100°C. Insoluble in ethanol, acetone and ether. Strong hygroscopicity, it can absorb carbon dioxide and moisture when exposed to the air, and turn it into potassium bicarbonate.

Chemical properties

Monoclinic system, white powder or fine granular crystal. Soluble in water, insoluble in ethanol and ether.

Application field

In the inorganic industry, it is used to manufacture potassium sodium tartrate, potassium aluminum fluoride, potassium thiocyanate, and titanium dioxide. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used in the manufacture of long-acting sulfonamides, progesterone, cortisone, akol, estradiol benzoate and other drugs. The glass enamel industry is used in the preparation of enamel powder to enhance its leveling, add to the glass to play a fluxing role, and improve the transparency and refractive index of the glass. In the dye industry, it is used to manufacture indantulin, disperse red 3B, vat ash M, etc. In the printing and dyeing industry, it is used for the printing and dyeing of vat dyes and the whitening of ice dyeing. Used in the rubber industry to manufacture 4010 antioxidant. The flax cotton industry is used for cotton scouring and wool degreasing.