Molecular Formula | K |
Molar Mass | 39.1 |
Density | 0.86 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.) |
Melting Point | 64 °C (lit.) |
Boling Point | 760 °C (lit.) |
Water Solubility | reacts |
Solubility | H2O: soluble |
Vapor Presure | 0.09 mm Hg ( 260 °C) |
Appearance | rod |
Specific Gravity | 0.86 |
Color | Silver/gray |
Odor | Odorless |
Exposure Limit | ACGIH: TWA 2 ppm; STEL 4 ppmOSHA: TWA 2 ppm(5 mg/m3)NIOSH: IDLH 25 ppm; TWA 2 ppm(5 mg/m3); STEL 4 ppm(10 mg/m3) |
PH | 5.0 (H2O, 20°C) |
Storage Condition | 2-8°C |
Stability | Stable. Moisture and air-sensitive. Spontaneously combustible through the generation and ignition of hydrogen. Reacts violently with water and acids, alcohols, carbon monoxide. Store under oil. |
Sensitive | Air & Moisture Sensitive |
Refractive Index | n20/D 1.334 |
Physical and Chemical Properties | Character silver metal. melting point 63.25 ℃ boiling point 760 ℃ relative density 0.86 soluble in acid, Mercury, ammonia. |
Use | It is used for making potassium peroxide, heat exchange alloy, photoelectric cell, etc., and also used as a reducing agent |
Risk Codes | R14/15 - R34 - Causes burns R36/38 - Irritating to eyes and skin. R23/24/25 - Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed. |
Safety Description | S8 - Keep container dry. S43 - In case of fire use ... (there follows the type of fire-fighting equipment to be used.) S45 - In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show the label whenever possible.) S5B - S5* - S36/37/39 - Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves and eye/face protection. S26 - In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. S5 - Keep contents under ... (there follows the name of a liquid). S27 - Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. |
UN IDs | UN 2257 4.3/PG 1 |
WGK Germany | 2 |
RTECS | TS8050000 |
FLUKA BRAND F CODES | 8 |
TSCA | Yes |
HS Code | 2827 39 85 |
Hazard Class | 4.3 |
Packing Group | I |
Toxicity | Ignites in air and reacts explosively with water; highly corrosive to the skin and eyes. Potassium reacts with the moisture on skin and other tissues to form highly corrosive potassium hydroxide. Contact of metallic potassium with the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes causes severe burns; thermal burns may also occur due to ignition of the metal and liberated hydrogen. |
Downstream Products | Isobutylbenzene |
silver-white metal. The relative density was 0. 86. Melting Point 63. 25 °c. Boiling point 774 °c. Soluble in acid, Mercury, ammonia, insoluble in hydrocarbons, alcohol decomposition. The intense reaction with water releases hydrogen gas and generates a large amount of heat. Large pieces of potassium into the water can fire combustion, and even explosion. The oxidation rate in air is extremely fast, and the combustion is purple flame.
replacement method: according to a certain ratio of metal sodium and potassium chloride into the replacement kettle, heated to about 850 ℃, the potassium in potassium chloride is replaced by potassium vapor, after cooling, distillation, trapping, A finished product of metallic potassium was obtained.
used as a reducing agent for the synthesis of organic compounds, used as a dehydrating agent, because it can strongly absorb water, is a raw material for the synthesis of organic compounds and the production of inorganic compounds, for the production of potassium superoxide, the heat exchange alloy is also used to absorb the remaining oxygen and water vapor in the real tube when manufacturing the electron tube. Metal potassium and metal sodium alloy, the melting point is very low, at room temperature is liquid, can be used to replace mercury manufacturing thermometer.
It belongs to class I water-burning articles, and risk code number: GB 4.3 class 43003. UN No. 4356; IMDG CODE 4.3 p. A. Chemical reactivity is very high, in the humid air can spontaneous combustion. When water or moisture reacts strongly to release hydrogen, a large amount of heat, causing combustion or explosion. Exposure to air or oxygen can self-burn and blast the melt to splash. Water, carbon dioxide can be violent reaction. Reacts vigorously with halogens, phosphorus, many oxides, oxidants, and acids. A purple flame is emitted when burning. Packed in a round barrel, the oil surface must be free of metallic potassium, and sealed with a tight lid. 35kg net weight per barrel. Should be stored in a cool, ventilated, dry warehouse. Pay attention to moisture and sun exposure. A single layer shall be placed and covered with rain-proof cloth for automobile transportation. Handling should be careful with light, not strong vibration, pay attention to the bucket containing metal potassium can not be inverted. On the eyes, nose, throat and lungs have a stimulating effect, contact caused by sneezing, Cough and laryngitis. Inhalation of high concentrations can cause pulmonary edema. Eye and skin have strong irritation and corrosive, can cause burns. Water, halogenated hydrocarbons (such as 1211 extinguishing agent), sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate shall not be used as extinguishing agent in case of fire. Even the use of dry graphite powder for potassium is not applicable. And should use dry sodium chloride powder, sodium carbonate powder, calcium carbonate powder, dry sand and other fire.
resistivity | 6.1 ***-CM, 20°C |
NIST chemical information | information provided by: webbook.nist.gov (external link) |
EPA chemical substance information | information provided by: ofmpeb.epa.gov (external link) |
Introduction | potassium (Latin: Kalium, chemical symbol: K2) is a chemical element with an atomic number of 19. The melting point of potassium, low hardness, more active than sodium, oxidation in the air quickly. The density of potassium is less than that of water and greater than that of kerosene. Potassium and water will produce a sharp reaction (produce high temperature to melt themselves into a silver ball, release a large amount of hydrogen, so that the metal ball in the water surface at high speed, hydrogen combustion, you can see the purple blue flame, potassium hydroxide. |
Discovery History | in 1807, potassium metal was first prepared by electrolytic method from molten potassium hydroxide by British chemist David, and named. |
Source | potassium exists in nature only as a compound. In the mica, potassium feldspar and other silicate are rich in potassium. Potassium content in the Earth's crust is about 2.09%, ranking seventh. In seawater in the form of potassium ions, the content of about 0.1%. The reason why potassium is contained less than sodium in seawater is that it is absorbed more by soil and plants. Potassium is also found in plants and animals. The normal human body contains about 175 grams of potassium, of which 98% of the potassium is stored in the cell fluid, which is the most important cation in the cell. |
Application | potassium is mainly used as a reducing agent and in synthesis. Compounds of potassium are widely used in industry. Potassium salts can be used in the manufacture of fertilizers and soaps. Potassium plays an important role in the growth and development of plants and animals, and is one of the three major nutrients for plant growth. Potassium metal is industrially available as a strong reducing agent. Sodium-potassium alloys are used as a medium of heat conduction in some special cooling devices. |
preparation | potassium can be obtained by subjecting its usual hydroxide to electrolysis. The potassium hydroxide and halide were melt-electrolyzed and vacuum-distilled. |
Application | used for making potassium peroxide, heat exchange alloy, photoelectric cell, etc, also used as reducing agent used as a reducing agent in the synthesis of organic compounds. It is a raw material for the synthesis of organic compounds and the production of inorganic compounds. It is used in the production of potassium oxide, heat exchange alloy and photoelectric cell. Taking advantage of the low melting point of potassium, it is often used in the manufacture of various liquid alloys, such as sodium-monopotassium alloys for nuclear reactor coolants. test nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, potassium and sodium. Inorganic and organic synthesis. Reducing agent. Heat transfer medium. As raw materials for the preparation of iodide and dyes, medicine for the prevention and treatment of goiter, eye vitreous opacity absorbent, expectorant and diuretic. Tourism materials industry used as a photosensitive emulsifier, color photo mordant. Also used as food additives, flux and lithographic printing, also used as analytical reagents, chromatography analysis and drop analysis. |
production method | Metal sodium and potassium chloride are added into the replacement kettle according to a certain ratio, and heated to about 830 ℃, the potassium in potassium chloride is replaced by potassium vapor, and the metal potassium is prepared by cooling, distillation and trapping. KCl Na → K NaCl |
category | flammable articles in water |
toxicity grade | poisoning |
Acute toxicity | abdominal injection-mouse LD50: 700 mg/kg |
explosive hazard characteristics | explosive in water |
flammability hazard characteristics | when water or moist air emits hydrogen |
storage and transportation characteristics | The warehouse is ventilated and dried at low temperature; It is stored separately from acid and oxidant |
extinguishing agent | dry powder, dry sand, dry powder |
spontaneous combustion temperature | 25°C or below in air or oxygen |
toxic substance data | information provided by: pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (external link) |