Characteristic

Potassium bicarbonate (also known as potassium hydrogen carbonate or potassium acid carbonate) is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula KHCO₃. It is a white solid.

Chemical formula:KHCO₃

Molar mass:100.115 g/mol

Appearance:white crystals

Odor:odorless

Density:2.17 g/cm³

Melting point:292 °C (558 °F; 565 K) (decomposes)

Solubility in water:22.4 g/100 mL (20 °C)

Solubility:practically insoluble in alcohol

Acidity (pKa):10.329 6.351 (carbonic acid)

Application

Potassium hydrogen carbonate is used in foods to regulate pH, as a fire suppression agent (BC dry chemical) and as a buffering agent in medications. It acts as an additive in winemaking and is an active component in club soda. Furthermore, it finds use in crops for the neutralization of acidic soils. It is also used as a source of carbon dioxide for leavening in baking. It is utilized to inhibit the growth of aspergillus parasiticus in czapek's agar. It is employed as a catalyst in synthetic fiber polymerization and olefin dehydrogenation.