Potassium acetate (C2H3KO2) is a compound made up of potassium, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. It is commonly used in the food industry as a preservative and as a deicer for airport runways.
| IUPAC name | Potassium acetate |
| Molecular formula | C2H3KO2 |
| CAS number | 127-08-2 |
| Synonyms | KAc, potassium ethanoate |
| InChI | InChI=1S/C2H4O2.K/c1-2(3)4;/h1H3,(H,3,4);/q;+1/p-1 |
Potassium Acetate Properties
Potassium Acetate Formula
The chemical formula for potassium acetate is C2H3KO2. It consists of one K+ ion and one CH3COO- ion. The acetate ion is polyatomic, meaning it consists of multiple atoms bonded together. In the case of acetate, it consists of two carbon atoms, three hydrogen atoms, and two oxygen atoms.
Potassium Acetate Molar Mass
C2H3KO2 has a molar mass of 98.14 g/mol. The molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance and is calculated by summing the atomic masses of all the atoms in a molecule. In the case of C2H3KO2, the atomic masses of potassium, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are added together to arrive at the molar mass.
Potassium Acetate Boiling Point
The boiling point of C2H3KO2 is 881 °C (1618 °F). The boiling point is the temperature at which a substance changes from a liquid to a gas. C2H3KO2 has a relatively high boiling point compared to other compounds, which can be attributed to its ionic nature and the strong attraction between the positively charged potassium ions and negatively charged acetate ions.
Potassium Acetate Melting Point
The melting point of C2H3KO2 is 292 °C (558 °F). The melting point is the temperature at which a solid changes to a liquid. C2H3KO2 has a relatively high melting point, which can be attributed to its ionic nature and the strong attraction between the positively charged potassium ions and negatively charged acetate ions.
Potassium Acetate Density g/mL
The density of C2H3KO2 is 1.57 g/mL. The density is the mass per unit volume of a substance. The relatively high density of C2H3KO2 can be attributed to its ionic nature and the compact arrangement of ions in its crystal lattice.
Potassium Acetate Molecular Weight
The molecular weight of C2H3KO2 is 98.14 g/mol. The molecular weight is the sum of the atomic weights of all atoms in a molecule. In the case of C2H3KO2, it is the sum of the atomic weights of potassium, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
Potassium Acetate Structure
C2H3KO2 has an ionic crystal structure. It consists of positively charged K+ ions and negatively charged CH3COO- ions. The acetate ions are arranged in a plane, with each carbon atom bonded to an oxygen atom and a hydrogen atom. The potassium ions are located between the planes of acetate ions, forming a three-dimensional crystal lattice.
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Specific gravity | 1.57 g/cm3 |
| Color | Colorless |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Molar mass | 98.14 g/mol |
| Density | 1.57 g/mL |
| Melting point | 292 °C (558 °F) |
| Boiling point | 881 °C (1618 °F) |
| Flash point | Not applicable |
| Water solubility | Highly soluble in water |
| Solubility | Soluble in ethanol and methanol |
| Vapor pressure | Not applicable |
| Vapor density | Not applicable |
| pKa | 4.76 |
| pH | 7 (10% aqueous solution) |
Potassium Acetate Safety and Hazards
C2H3KO2 is generally considered safe for human use, with low toxicity and no known carcinogenic or mutagenic effects. However, it can cause skin and eye irritation, and prolonged or repeated exposure may cause dermatitis. It is also a mild irritant to the respiratory tract and may cause coughing or shortness of breath if inhaled in large quantities. When ingested, it may cause gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, and vomiting. Additionally, C2H3KO2 can react with certain chemicals to produce hazardous byproducts, such as acetic acid or potassium hydroxide, so it should be handled with care and stored appropriately to avoid contact with incompatible substances.
| Hazard symbols | None |
| Safety description | Keep away from heat, sparks, and flames. Avoid ingestion, inhalation, and contact with skin and eyes. Wear protective gloves and eyewear. |
| UN ID | UN2923 |
| HS code | 2915.29.10 |
| Hazard class | 8 |
| Packing group | III |
| Toxicity | Low toxicity. May irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Ingestion may cause gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, and vomiting. |
Potassium Acetate Synthesis Methods
To synthesize C2H3KO2, one must neutralize potassium hydroxide with acetic acid, react potassium carbonate with acetic acid, or react potassium metal with acetic acid.
In the neutralization method, one slowly adds acetic acid to a solution of potassium hydroxide until the pH reaches a neutral level. This process leads to the formation of C2H3KO2 and water. Then, the experimenter evaporates the resulting solution and obtains a white crystalline solid of C2H3KO2.
In this method, the process requires heating a mixture of acetic acid and potassium carbonate to completion. After that, filter the mixture to eliminate any remaining solids and then evaporate and crystallize to obtain C2H3KO2.
The reaction of potassium metal with acetic acid is another method of synthesizing C2H3KO2. The process involves adding potassium metal to a solution of acetic acid, which produces C2H3KO2 and hydrogen gas. Afterward, evaporating the solution and crystallizing the C2H3KO2 allows for its extraction.
Potassium Acetate Uses
C2H3KO2 has a wide range of uses in various industries, including:
Deicing agent: Commonly used as a deicing agent on airport runways, bridges, and other surfaces where traditional salt-based deicers may harm the environment.
Food preservative: Used as a food preservative to prevent spoilage and extend the shelf life of certain foods.
Buffering agent: Used as a buffering agent in a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, textiles, and cosmetics.
Catalyst: Used as a catalyst in the production of certain chemicals, such as acetic anhydride.
Laboratory reagent: Common reagent in laboratory settings for various analytical and research purposes.
Animal feed additive: Used as a feed additive for livestock, particularly in poultry and swine diets, to improve growth and overall health.
Flame retardant: Used as a flame retardant in certain plastics and textiles to reduce the risk of fire.
Medical applications: Also used in certain medical applications, such as the treatment of hypokalemia (low potassium levels) and as a component in certain dialysis solutions.
Questions:
Q: Is potassium acetate soluble?
A: Yes, C2H3KO2 is soluble in water.
Q: What is the formula for potassium acetate?
A: The formula for potassium acetate is CH3CO2K.
Q: What is potassium acetate used for?
A: C2H3KO2 is used for various purposes, including as a deicing agent, food preservative, buffering agent, catalyst, laboratory reagent, animal feed additive, flame retardant, and in certain medical applications.
Q: Is potassium acetate soluble in water?
A: Yes, C2H3KO2 is soluble in water.
Q: Is potassium acetate an acid or base?
A: C2H3KO2 is neither an acid nor a base, but it can act as a buffering agent to help maintain a stable pH in solutions.