Potassium sulfate
Potassium sulfate, also known as arcanite, is a chemical compound. Its chemical formula is K2SO4. It contains potassium and sulfate ions.
Properties
It is a white crystalline solid. It dissolves in water easily. It does not dissolve in potassium hydroxide or concentrated ethanol. It can react with additional sulfuric acid to make potassium bisulfate.
Preparation
It is made by reacting potassium hydroxide and sulfuric acid. It can also be made by reacting potassium chloride with sulfuric acid. It can also be made by reacting sulfur dioxide, oxygen, and potassium chloride with some water.
Uses
Potassium sulphate is an important salt in everyday life. It is primarily used:
- As a plant/crop fertilizer
- In the synthesis of glass
- As a component of gunpowder
- For medicinal purposes
Occurrence
Arcanite is the mineral form of potassium sulfate.
Potassium Sulfate Media
- Structure of K2SO4, K2CrO4 and some related compounds.tif
Red = O, Purple = K, Orange = S
- TopView10cnK.tif
Coordination sphere of one of two types of K+ site.
- SO4sphere.tif
SO4 environment in β-K2SO4.
