Potassium Bromide

Introduction

The chemical compound potassium bromide is used as a salt that makes for a good sedative. This chemical compound is used in the medical industry in spite of causing a certain degree of discomfort to the patient. Potassium bromide has its own chemical composition and properties set out in the field of chemistry.

Chemical Composition of KBr

The chemical composition of potassium bromide can be started with its empirical formula. Therefore, the formula of this chemical compound is known as KBr which is classified as a salt. The entire mass of the molecules that belong to the potassium bromide is 119 grams per molecule. Just like all the other forms of chemical compounds, potassium bromide also has a point where they start to melt.

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Figure 1: 3D structure of KBr

The melting point of this chemical compound is 734°C and the solute has a few sets of solvents. The total number of solvents is three where the first one is pure water, the second one is known as ethanol and the third is glycerol. The boiling point of the composition is 1,435° C and the total density is 2.75 grams per cube.

Properties of KBr

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The physical properties of the chemical compound are as follows –

• The chemical formula of potassium bromide is known as KBr.

• The colour of this chemical compound bears the look of white.

• Potassium bromide has a proper texture to grains as they come in the form of salt.

• The chemical compound is not able to give a proper smell as they are odourless.

• This form of salt is found only in industries as they are made by human beings.

• The taste of this salt is bitter and salty at the same time. They are also known for being very pungent.

• The salt is soluble in glycerol which they are able to mix with the solvent at the exact weight of 217 grams per litre.

Preparation of KBr

The preparation of KBr is done in the traditional format where potassium, iron and bromide are used as the major component. In this case, the chemical compound is made creating a reaction between potassium and iron. The final result that comes at the end of this reaction is known Fe3Br8. Finally, in the last stage of the equation, there is a process of treating the scrap iron that is found under the water. The entire piece of this metal is placed under a tub of water that is highly concentrated with an element called bromine. This is the way this entire chemical compound is produced in a traditional format.

Potassium Bromide Usage

The uses of KBr are stated in the form of points under this section -

• They are very helpful to clean and sanitised aquariums.

• The chemical serves as a good source of plasticiser.

• The entire attribute of the chemical is used as an agent in the laboratory to manufacture different chemicals.

• When nylon is produced there is an increase in the temperature. This chemical compound helps to stabilise the heat generated during production.

• They help in the formation of films used during photography.

• The chemical compound works as a sedative on human beings.

• The medical uses help to control epileptic seizures in human beings and animals.

Effectiveness

The chemical compound is highly effective in medical conditions called Dravet Syndrome . In this condition, the victim is very prone to a type of epileptic seizure that can reduce the ability to a certain drug. The effect falls when acid is discharged inside the body known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptors. They are present inside the neurons that help the nerve cell to stay active.

Health hazard

The health hazard of using potassium bromide is that it reduces the ability to think properly. This is a side effect of heavy consumption in a given time as the severe use of this product can lead to coma. The sensory organs fail to perceive a proper image as the chemical makes the mind hallucinate. They have some kind of toxic elements that irritates the skin when someone touches them with bare hands. When the person hallucinates they fail to maintain their sleep cycle thus a drowsy effect prevails. Therefore, this is the effect that works in the body when a person gets potassium bromide as a drug.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, all the learners are able to understand the uses of potassium bromide. They tend to cure certain problems in the nerves but it comes with some side effects. This is the reason why they are used with extreme precaution after studying the medical history of an individual. The hazards are severe in rare cases thus; many healthcare professionals use this treatment as the last resort.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What are the side effects of potassium bromide on the human body?

Ans. The most common use of potassium bromide is to sedate a human being. They are also used to bring down the rate of seizures that can occur in the central nervous system. Apart from such uses they contain a mild concentration of toxic elements that irritates the skin.

Q2. What is the negative effect of potassium bromide on the body of a human being?

Ans. The neurons in the brain that are connected to one another for the transmission of brain waves start to detach themselves. Hence it becomes hard for a person to induce cognitive thinking. This is the reason why they make a toxic effect on the brain called bromism which happens to be a negative effect on the human body.

Q3. What is a fact of potassium bromide?

Ans. A pinch of potassium bromide was mixed with a cup of tea to reduce the urge for sexual stimulation. The reduction was done only for soldiers who were fighting overseas during the First World War.