Potassium carbonate. (or potassium carbonate). It is a white water soluble salt (insoluble in alcohol), with the chemical formula K 2 CO 3 . It forms strong alkaline solutions, or what is the same, is a basic salt . It is usually formed as a product of the chemical reaction between potassium hydroxide or Caustic Potash (KOH) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). It is also a hygroscopic substance, which often appears as a water-based solid. It is normally used for the manufacture of soap and glass and is the main component of caustic potash as found in nature.
Summary
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- 1 Story
- 2 Manufacturing
- 3 Applications
- 1 In the laboratory
- 2 In kitchen
- 3 Other applications
- 4 See also
- 5 Source
History
Potassium carbonate was first identified in 1742 by Antonio Campanella . Historically, potassium carbonate was obtained by heating the mineral in a Kiln kiln. The resulting white powder was pure potassium carbonate. In the late eighteenth century it began to be used as a yeast for bread in North America . Other names of potassium carbonate:
- Potash, which is not chemically correct.
- Potash carbonate.
- Dipotassium carbonate.
Manufacturing
Potassium carbonate was obtained by leaching ash from wood or other burned vegetables. Today, potassium carbonate is made commercially from the reaction between carbon dioxide and potassium hydroxide obtained by electrolysis of potassium chloride .
KCl + H 2 O → KOH + HCl
2KOH + CO 2 → K 2 CO 3 + H 2 O
Applications
At the laboratory
It is used as a mild hygroscopic agent where other hygroscopic agents would be incompatible such as calcium chloride . Mixed with water it causes an exothermic reaction. Potassium carbonate is also used as an electrolyte in cold fusion experiments.
In kitchen
Herb jelly ingredient, a dish from China and other Southeast Asian cuisines .
Other apps
It is used to make soft soap and glass. It is used in freshwater aquariums to raise the KH (Carbonate Hardness or Carbonate Hardness). To raise the KH by 1 °, it is approximately 2,5gr. / 50lt
