Potassium sulfate

Potassium sulfate

Names
IUPAC name Potassium sulfate
Other names Arcanite Potash of sulfur Potassium sulphate Sulphate of potash
Properties
Chemical formula	K2SO4
Molar mass	174.259 g/mol
Odor	Odorless
Density	2.66 g/cm3
Melting point	1,069 °C (1,956 °F; 1,342 K)
Boiling point	1,689 °C (3,072 °F; 1,962 K)
Solubility in water	111 g/L (20 °C) 120 g/L (25 °C) 240 g/L (100 °C)
Solubility	Slightly soluble in glycerol Insoluble in acetone, carbon disulfide, ethanol
Hazards
Safety data sheet	Fisher Scientific
Flash point	Non-flammable
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (Median dose)	6600 mg/kg (oral, rat)
Related compounds
Related compounds	Potassium bisulfate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄) or potassium sulphate, also known as arcanite, sulphate of potash or potash of sulfur is a soluble potassium salt of sulfuric acid.

Properties

Chemical

Potassium salt will react with sulfuric acid to form potassium bisulfate.

K₂SO₄ + H₂SO₄ → 2 KHSO₄

Reduction of potassium sulfate with carbon yields potassium sulfide.

K₂SO₄ + 4 C → K₂S + 4 CO

Physical

Potassium sulfate is a white odorless solid, with a bitter taste. It is soluble in water, slightly soluble in glycerol, but insoluble in acetone, carbon disulfide, ethanol.

Availability

Potassium sulfate is available as a fertilizer, either pure or mixed with other materials.

Preparation

Can be prepared by reacting potassium carbonate with sulfuric acid.

K₂CO₃ + H₂SO₄ → K₂SO₄ + H₂O + CO₂

Projects

• Make potassium nitrate
• Grow crystals

Handling

Safety

Potassium sulfate has little toxicity, though it be irritant.

Storage

Potassium carbonate must be kept in closed bottles.

Disposal

Can be safely dumped in soil.

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads

• Potassium sulphate insoluble residue...