Potassium Carbonate

Introduction

The primary compound of potash is Potassium Carbonate and pearl ash or the salts of tartar are a more refined form of it. In the making of pearl ash, potash is baked in a kiln and this process removes the impure agents. In the 18th century before the use of baking powder, pearl ash was used to make quick bread.

What is Potassium Carbonate?

Potassium Carbonate is an inorganic compound that can be represented with the chemical formula- $\mathrm{K_2CO_3}$. It is also known as Carbonate of potash, or Dipotassium carbonate or Pearl ash. It can be defined as the dipotassium salt of carbonic acid. The main use of this is the making of soap and glass.

Figure 1: Potassium Carbonate

It can be dissolved in the water but shows the exact opposite reaction in acetone, alcohol, and ethanol. It is deliquescent in nature and the pH level is 11.6.

Properties of Potassium Carbonate

Figure 2: Potassium Carbonate structure

The chemical formula of Potassium Carbonate is $\mathrm{K_2CO_3}$. It has two potassium cations and a carbonate anion. In -47°C it can be found as the precious stone underneath. The molecular mass or molecular weight is 138.205 g/mol. It has a white-coloured and strong hygroscopic appearance. Its density of it is 2.43 g m/L and the melting point is 891°C. It shows a soluble nature in the water, whereas shows exactly the opposite reaction in the methanol, ethanol, and acetone. It also has a solid and soluble base arrangement when it is highly dissolved in the water.

Production of Potassium Carbonate

Potassium Carbonate can be prepared in many ways. The main three processes of making the $\mathrm{K_2CO_3}$ are-

• It can be prepared by baking the potash and in this process, one white-colored power will be produced, that is the Potassium Carbonate (Zhu et al. 2018). It is also produced when Potassium Chloride reacts with Magnesium Oxide, and as a result, it forms the Engel's salt and then the salt decomposed and gets calcined. The reaction that can represent the process is

$\mathrm{KCl + MgO + CO_2\:\rightarrow\:MgCO_3.KHCO_3.4H_2O}$

• If the potassium chloride reacts with the $\mathrm{CO_2}$ it produces the Potassium bicarbonate, and then calcined it can provide the Potassium Carbonate. The reaction can be represented as

$\mathrm{2KHCO_3\:\rightarrow\:K_2CO_3 + H_2O + CO_2}$

• The easiest way to produce the $\mathrm{K_2CO_3}$ is by treating the potassium hydroxide with carbon dioxide. It also produces excess water. The reaction can be presented as-

$\mathrm{2KOH + CO_2\:\rightarrow\:K_2CO_3 + H_2O}$

Uses of Potassium Carbonate

Potassium Carbonate can be used in many sectors, however, the most common uses are-

• It can be used in the making of soap and detergents.

• It is used in fertilizer to increase the yield (pubchem.ncbi, 2022).

• It can be as baking soda and also used to treat the hard water

• In the production of grass jelly, $\mathrm{K_2CO_3}$ is used.

• To create the Dutch procedure chocolate in the alkalization process, $\mathrm{K_2CO_3}$ is used

• In the generation of the wire, it is used

• In the making of some chemical light and medicine, Potassium Carbonate plays the most crucial role.

• In the making of bulb, ink, leather, crystal, dye, photography items are used.

Health Effects of Potassium Carbonate

As Potassium Carbonate has some major effects on health, one should be aware of its effects. Such as-

• If the Potassium Carbonate comes into skin contact it can cause immediate skin irritation and redness. This is not safe for the skin, studies and research proves that.

• If it encounters the eyes, it will leave its effects, redness, and can even lead to many eye-related diseases such as conjunctiva. It can cause permanent eye damage if left untreated for a long time.

• If one inhales it by chance, it will create problems with breathing. It can cause uneasiness in the upper airway and cause irritation, cough, and lead to redness in the mouth.

• Some kinds of Potassium Carbonate can be unsafe to add to food, that is the reason while using it one must be aware that, there is safe food-grade potassium carbonate, available in the market. As it is a strong base, it does not taste really good, if used in a huge amount that is the reason it is used in a very small amount in the food.

Conclusion

In 1790, Samuel Hopkins get the first patent for improving the making of both potash and pearl ash. Potassium Carbonate is one kind of potassium salt and it is an important compound in the field of chemistry. It also absorbed the water vapour that is available in the air, as because it is highly water soluble. Potassium Carbonate is a white salt and like alkaline, it does not have any kind of smell.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the main use of potassium carbonate?

Ans. Potassium carbonate is mainly used in the making of glass and soap. It is also used as the drying agent, the reason behind this is the mild nature of the potassium carbonate. It can be used in the win reproduction and as the fire suppressant.

Q2. Is potassium carbonate soluble in water?

Ans. Potassium carbonate has solubility in the water. It dissociates the carbonate and potassium ions if it dissolves in the water.

Q3. Is potassium carbonate reactive?

Ans. Potassium carbonate is deliquescent. It forms a basic solution in the water and on the other hand, it reacts with the acid, which forms the water, salt, and CO2. The basic characteristics of this compound help to use it as the buffering agent.

Q4. What is the common products that contain potassium carbonate?

Ans. Potassium carbonate can be easily found in many things that are used on daily basis, such as glass (that can be optical glass), icy water, soap, potassium salt.