Potassium carbonate CAS:584-08-7
Potassium carbonate, with the molecular formula K₂CO₃, is also widely named potash or pearl ash in the chemical trade. This product occurs as white crystalline solids that taste slightly salty and tend to absorb moisture from ambient air. It dissolves quickly in water to generate a strongly alkaline aqueous solution, yet it cannot be dissolved in organic solvents including ethyl alcohol.
| Item | Detailed Specifications |
| Melting Point | Measured melting temperature reaches 891 °C (literature value) |
| Boiling Property | No fixed boiling point; the substance will undergo thermal decomposition when heated to high temperature |
| Bulk Density | 750 kilograms per cubic meter |
| True Density | 2.43 g/mL under 25 °C ambient condition |
| Recommended Storage Temperature | Warehouse storage temperature controlled within the range of +5 °C ~ +30 °C |
| Water Solubility Performance | Solubility in water: 1 mol/L at 20 °C, forming transparent and colorless aqueous solution |
| pKa Value | pKa = 10.33 (tested under 20 °C environment) |
| Physical Shape | Powdery solid form |
| Appearance Color | Yellow tone solid powder |
| Relative Density | Specific gravity value: 2.29 |
| Odor Characteristic | Pure product has no peculiar smell at 100.00% purity |
| Aqueous Solution pH Value | pH=10.52 (1 mmol/L solution); pH=11 (10 mmol/L solution); pH=11.36 (100 mmol/L solution) |
| Saturated Water Solubility | Solubility up to 1120 g per liter of water at 20 °C |
| Maximum UV Absorption Wavelength | λmax=260 nm with absorbance 0.03λmax=280 nm with absorbance 0.02 |
| Sensitivity Property | Highly hygroscopic, prone to absorbing moisture from air |
| Merck Index Number | Merck catalogue No.: 14,7619 |
| Dielectric Constant | Dielectric constant equals 5.6 (test temperature: 16.0 °C) |
| Stability & Chemical Compatibility | Chemically stable under normal preservation conditions.Incompatible substances: humid environment, acidic materials, magnesium bromine trifluoride, magnesium bromine trichloride |
| CAS Registry Number | 584-08-7 |
| NIST Chemical Designation | Dipotassium carbonate, CAS No. 584-08-7 |
| EPA Registered Name | Potassium carbonate, registration number 584-08-7 |
| BRN Registry Number | Registry ID: 4267587 |
| Item | Specification |
| Hazard Rating | Xn (Harmful) |
| Risk & Safety Phrases | R: 22,36/37/38,20/21/22S: 26,36-37/39 |
| UN Transport No. | UN 3262, Packing Group III |
| Environmental GradeW | WGK 1 (Low water hazard) |
| Registry Codes | RTECS: TS7750000CAS: 584-08-7 |
| Compliance & Tariff | Listed on US TSCA; HS Code: 28364000 |
| Toxicity Data | Rat oral LD50 = 1.87 g/kg |
Potassium carbonate has widespread industrial utilization. In optical glass production, it is a vital additive that upgrades glass transparency, mechanical strength and refractive performance. It is applied as welding electrode flux to stabilize electric arcs in welding work. In textile dyeing, it works as reducing agent for vat dyeing and anti-blooming additive for ice dyeing processes.






