Potassium carbonate

Potassium carbonate (chemical formula: K2CO3, English: Potassium carbonate), also known as potassium alkali, appears as colorless crystals or white particles, and is highly soluble in water. Its solution is strongly alkaline. Cooling its saturated aqueous solution resulted in the crystallization of glassy monoclinic crystal hydrate 2K2CO3 · 3H2O with a density of 2.043, which lost its water of crystallization at 100 ℃. Insoluble in ethanol, acetone, and ether. Highly hygroscopic, it can absorb carbon dioxide and moisture when exposed to air, transforming into potassium bicarbonate. It can be obtained by reacting potassium hydroxide with carbon dioxide. It can also be obtained by co heating potassium chloride with magnesium carbonate, water, and carbon dioxide under pressure, or by impregnating paulownia seed ash and plant ash. It is mainly used as a raw material for decarbonization of synthesis gas, electronic tubes, glass, enamel, printing and dyeing, welding electrodes, film development, inorganic salts, and glass shells of cathode tubes. Impure potassium carbonate is commonly known as grass alkali, tung alkali, or bead ash, and is one of the early potassium fertilizer varieties.