Potassium sulfate

Potassium sulfate, also known as arcanite, is a chemical compound. Its chemical formula is K₂SO₄. It contains potassium and sulfate ions.

Properties

It is a white crystalline solid. It dissolves in water easily. It does not dissolve in potassium hydroxide or concentrated ethanol. It can react with additional sulfuric acid to make potassium bisulfate.

Preparation

It is made by reacting potassium hydroxide and sulfuric acid. It can also be made by reacting potassium chloride with sulfuric acid. It can also be made by reacting sulfur dioxide, oxygen, and potassium chloride with some water.

Uses

Potassium sulphate is an important salt in everyday life. It is primarily used:

As a plant/crop fertilizer
In the synthesis of glass
As a component of gunpowder
For medicinal purposes

Occurrence

Arcanite is the mineral form of potassium sulfate.

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