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| Potassium bicarbonate | |
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| IUPAC name | potassium hydrogen carbonate |
| Other names | potassium acid carbonate |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | [298-14-6] |
| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | KHCO3 |
| Molar mass | 100.11 g/mol |
| Appearance | colorless crystals or white powder |
| Density | 2.17 g/cm3, solid |
| Melting point |
decomposes 100°C-200°C |
| Solubility in water | 32.2 g/100 ml (20°C) |
| Structure | |
| Crystal structure | monoclinic |
| Hazards | |
| MSDS | Potassium bicarbonate |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds | potassium carbonate |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox references |
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Potassium bicarbonate (also known as potassium hydrogen carbonate or potassium acid carbonate), is a colorless, odorless, slightly basic, salty substance. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognizes potassium bicarbonate as "generally recognized as safe".
Potassium bicarbonate is soluble in water, and is often found added to bottled water to affect taste; however, it is not soluble in alcohol. Decomposition of the substance occurs between 100°C and 120°C into K2CO3 (potassium carbonate), H2O (water), and CO2 (carbon dioxide). In concentrations greater than 0.5%, KHCO3 can have toxic effects on plantscitation needed (potassium bicarbonate has widespread use in crops, especially for neutralizing acidic soil, and is also under consideration as an organic fungicide[1]), although there is no evidence of human carcinogenicity, no adverse effects of overexposure, and an undetermined LD50.
Physically, potassium bicarbonate occurs as a crystal or a soft white granular powder. It has a CAS No [298-14-6]. It is manufactured by reacting potassium carbonate with carbon dioxide and water:
Potassium bicarbonate is very rarely found in its natural form, mineral called kalicinite.
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Uses
The compound is used as a source of carbon dioxide for leavening in baking, extinguishing fire in powder fire extinguishers, acting as a reagent, and a strong buffering agent in medications.
It is used as a base in foods to regulate pH. It is a common ingredient in club soda, where it is used to soften the effect of effervescence.
Potassium bicarbonate is used as a fire suppression agent ("BC powder") in some dry powder fire extinguishers, as the principal component of the Purple-K powder. It is the only dry chemical fire suppression agent recognized by the National Fire Protection Association for firefighting at airport crash rescue sites. It is about twice as effective in fire suppression as sodium bicarbonate. [1]
Potassium bicarbonate is an effective fungicide against powdery mildew.[2]
History
The word saleratus, from Latin sal æratus meaning "aerated salt", was widely used in the 19th century for both potassium bicarbonate and sodium bicarbonate. The term has now fallen out of common usage.
References
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This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (January 2008) |
- ^ FiBL (2006) Use of potassium bicarbonate as a fungicide in organic farming
- ^ Powdery Mildew - Sustainable Gardening Australia
External links
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 8 October 2008, at 14:46.
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