Potassium Carbonate

Products

Potassium carbonate is available as an open product in pharmacies and drugstores. It is also found in some homeopathic medicines.

Structure and properties

Potassium carbonate (K2CO3, Mr = 138.2 g/mol) exists as a white, granular, odorless, and hygroscopic powder that is readily soluble in water. Potassium carbonate is the dipotassium salt of carbonic acid (dipotassium carbonate). It used to be extracted from plant ash and is also formed when potassium hydrogen carbonate is heated.

Effects

Potassium carbonate, together with an acid, releases the gas carbon dioxide (CO2), loosens doughs and leads to an increase in volume. In addition to water, a potassium salt is also formed. K2CO3 + 2H+ CO2 + 2K+ + H2O If water is added to potassium carbonate, an alkaline solution is formed. If acid is added to this solution, it foams.

Fields of application (selection)

  • Potash is traditionally used as a leavening agent for special baked goods such as gingerbread.
  • As a pharmaceutical excipient.
  • For technical applications, for example, for soap and glass production.