Potassium carbonate

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Template:Short description Template:Chembox Potassium carbonate is the inorganic compound with the formula Template:Chem2. It is a white salt, which is soluble in water and forms a strongly alkaline solution. It is deliquescent, often appearing as a damp or wet solid. Potassium carbonate is mainly used in the production of soap and glass.<ref name=Ullmann>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> Commonly, it can be found as the result of leakage of alkaline batteries.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Potassium carbonate is a potassium salt of carbonic acid. This salt consists of potassium cations Template:Chem2 and carbonate anions Template:Chem2, and is therefore an alkali metal carbonate.

HistoryEdit

Template:About Potassium carbonate is the primary component of potash and the more refined pearl ash or salt of tartar. Historically, pearl ash was created by baking potash in a kiln to remove impurities. The fine, white powder remaining was the pearl ash. The first patent issued by the US Patent Office was awarded to Samuel Hopkins in 1790 for an improved method of making potash and pearl ash.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In late 18th-century North America, before the development of baking powder, pearl ash was used as a leavening agent for quick breads.<ref>See references to "pearl ash" in "American Cookery" by Amelia Simmons, printed by Hudson & Goodwin, Hartford, 1796.</ref><ref name="Civitello">Template:Cite book</ref>

ProductionEdit

The modern commercial production of potassium carbonate is by reaction of potassium hydroxide with carbon dioxide:<ref name="Ullmann" />

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From the solution crystallizes the sesquihydrate Template:Chem2 ("potash hydrate"). Heating this solid above Template:Convert gives the anhydrous salt. In an alternative method, potassium chloride is treated with carbon dioxide in the presence of an organic amine to give potassium bicarbonate, which is then calcined:

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ApplicationsEdit

  • (historically) for soap, glass, and dishware production;Template:Cn
  • as a dietary potassium supplement, containing 56% of elemental potassium,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> in tablet or powder form to address low blood potassium levels caused by inadequate nourishment, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, or potassium-depleting medications such as corticosteroids or diuretics;<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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ReferencesEdit

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BibliographyEdit

External linksEdit

Template:Potassium compounds Template:Carbonates Template:Authority control