Potassium Acetate
With the chemical name potassium acetate, the potassium salt of acetic acid has the chemical formula of CH3CO2K. Also known as acetic acid potassium salt or potassium ethanoate or diuretic salt, potassium acetate is an essential potassium salt and micro mineral which consists of an equal number of potassium and acetate ions. With properties of being soluble in water, diuretic salt is a deliquescent white crystalline powder having a pH value less than or equal to 9.0 but more than or equal to 7.5.
Potassium Citrate was used earlier as diuretics and expectorants, which has now changed into the usage for replenishing systematic and urinary alkaliser and electrolytes. Maintenance of blood pressure, normal renal function, smooth muscle contraction, and nerve conduction requires the maintenance of intracellular tonicity which is ensured by the maintenance of the proper level of potassium in the human body.
Usages
Potassium acetate has several uses including uses in agricultural chemicals, laboratory chemicals, fire suppression, food acidity regulator, manufacturing of lubricants, treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis, molecular biology to precipitate dodecyl sulfate, catalyst to produce polyurethanes, food preservatives and as a de-icer to remove ice and stop its formation.
Due to its ability to cool and form a crust over burning oils, Potassium Acetate is the extinguishing agent used in Class K fire extinguishers.
Used as an acidity regulator and preservative, Potassium acetate is labeled by the European Union by the E number E261. New Zealand, Australia, and the USA are the other countries that approve the usage of Potassium acetate. A related food additive with the same E number as potassium acetate is potassium hydrogen diacetate which has the chemical formula of KH(OOCCH3)2.
Due to the ability of potassium acetate to break down to bicarbonate to help in the neutralization of the acidotic state, in medicinal manufacturing, it is used as a part of electrolyte replacement protocols in the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.
The mixtures that are applied for mummification, fixation, and tissue preservation are manufactured using potassium acetate. Containing potassium acetate, a formaldehyde-based method is used in most of the museums of the present world according to the recommendations of Kaiserling in the year 1897.
While putting a prisoner to death in January 2015, in Oklahoma, potassium acetate was incorrectly used in the place of potassium chloride. Without public knowledge, until the scheduled execution of Richard Glossip was called off, potassium acetate was used for the execution of Charles Frederick Warner on the 15th of January, 2015. Using a combination of potassium acetate, rocuronium bromide, and etomidate, Mark James Asay was executed in the US state of Florida in August 2017. In the production of polyurethanes, potassium acetate is used as a catalyst in the industrial sector.
Being the first organometallic compound ever produced, potassium acetate was used in the preparation of Cadet’s fuming liquid ((CH3)2As)2O. Potassium acetate is used as a urinary and diuretic alkalizer.
Know the Properties of Potassium Acetate:
Soluble in water, ammonia, and alcohol, Potassium acetate is a deliquescent white crystalline solid which is insoluble in organic solvents like ether. Potassium Acetate is also known as acetic acid and the reaction of acetic acid with a potassium base. It can be either be poptassoium hydroxide or potassium carbonate. It plays a significant macromineral role in various physiological functions.
Chemical Properties:
Pure Potassium Acetate has a faded acetic smell. It has saline taste and odorless .
Potassium Acetate is insoluble in organic solvents like ether. This deliquescen white crystalline solid is soluble in ammonia, water and alcohol.
It is a canonicalised compound.
It is utilized as an analytical and dehydrating agent in the production of medicine and crystal glasses. The compound is canonicalized with zero formal charges and five heavy atoms. By flushing out excess salt from the body, Potassium Acetate helps to regulate blood pressure as potassium plays a crucial role in maintaining proper blood pressure levels. Furthermore, it aids in normal renal function and smooth muscle contraction, helping to maintain intracellular toxicity.
Physical properties:
The pH value of diuretic salt lies between 7.5 to 9.0.
The solubility of potassium acetate in water is 100g/ml at 20 degree Celsius.
The density of Potassium Acetate is 1.8 gm per CC.
The melting point of Potassium Acetate is 292 degree C.
Preparation of Potassium Acetate
By performing a reaction known as an acid-base neutralization reaction, Potassium Acetate is prepared. A potassium-containing base like potassium hydroxide (KOH) and potassium carbonate (K2Co3) is treated along with the acetic acid while preparing potassium acetate. An acid is reacted with a base to form water and salt in a neutralization reaction. In the reaction of potassium hydroxide with acetic acid, which is neutralized together, along with water, Potassium Acetate (Potassium ethanoate) is the salt that is formed.
The chemical reaction of preparation is given below:
CH3COOH+KOH→CH3COOK+H2O
When potassium carbonate is added along with a small volume of water in the acetic acid solution, followed by evaporation and crystallization, potassium acetate can be formed.
K2Co3+2CH3COOH→2CH3COOK+H2O+CO2
Role of Potassium Acetate in De-icing
Potassium acetate is a common de-icing agent used for removing snow and ice from roads, bridges, and airport runways. The salt helps to lower the freezing point of water, which makes it difficult for snow and ice to stick to the surface. This helps to keep the surfaces safe and usable in winter weather conditions.
Potassium acetate is considered a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional road salt, which is made from sodium chloride. Sodium chloride can have a negative impact on the environment, including damaging vegetation and wildlife, contaminating water sources, and corroding infrastructure. Potassium acetate is considered less harmful to the environment and does not have the same negative impacts as sodium chloride.
In addition to its environmental benefits, potassium acetate is also more effective than traditional road salt at lower temperatures, making it an ideal de-icing solution in cold climates. It is also less corrosive, which can help to extend the life of roadways, bridges, and other infrastructure.
In conclusion, potassium acetate is an important tool in the fight against snow and ice, providing a safe and effective means of de-icing roads, bridges, and airport runways while minimizing the impact on the environment.
Working on potassium-based de-icers
Potassium hydroxide is combined with acetic acid to make potassium acetate. The breaking down of ice and snow bonds and the penetration of pavement surfaces is facilitated and aided by potassium acetate which acts as a highly effective de-icer. -60 degrees celsius is the freezing point of potassium acetate.
It is often used as an anti-icer because of its effectiveness on runway surfaces. Preventing the build-up of ice and snow in the first place, potassium acetate is applied before ice conditions materialize or snowfall events.
Potassium hydroxide is combined with formic acid to form potassium formate, which is mixed at a concentration of 50% and used to lower the freezing point of water to -51 degree celsius. Potassium acetate becomes diluted by snow and ice after it is applied to a runway which finally leads to an effective point of freezing of -32 degree celsius.
Potassium formate has a lower Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) making it an advantageous product over potassium acetate. The processing costs through wastewater treatment plants are lowered along with the environmental impact, which is implied by the lower COD. The formation of ice is prevented by the lowering of the freezing point of water, which is the main purpose of both potassium formate and potassium acetate. This ensures that despite the adverse condition of the weather, the aircraft can land and take off safely with the use of potassium acetate.
FAQ
- What is the use of potassium acetate?
Potassium acetate has several uses including uses in agricultural chemicals, laboratory chemicals, fire suppression, food acidity regulator, manufacturing of lubricants, treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis, molecular biology to precipitate dodecyl sulfate, catalyst to produce polyurethanes, food preservatives and as a de-icer to remove ice and stop its formation.
Due to its ability to cool and form a crust over burning oils, Potassium Acetate is the extinguishing agent used in Class K fire extinguishers.
- What are some of the basic properties of potassium acetate?
Soluble in water, ammonia, and alcohol, Potassium acetate is a deliquescent white crystalline solid which is insoluble in organic solvents like ether. Having a saline taste, Potassium Acetate in its purest form has a faint acetic smell or can be said to be odorless. In the manufacturing of medicines and crystal glasses, Potassium Acetate is used as an analytical and dehydrating agent. There are 0 formal charges and five heavy atoms in potassium acetate, making it a canonicalized compound. By flushing out the salt from the body, Potassium acetate lowers the blood pressure as potassium present in the salt helps to maintain the human blood pressure. Needed for normal renal function and smooth muscle contraction, potassium acetate helps in maintaining intracellular toxicity.
- Is potassium acetate an acid or base?
Potassium acetate is considered to be a salt, which is neutral and does not exhibit acidic or basic properties. It is formed by the reaction of an acid (acetic acid) and a base (potassium hydroxide), which neutralizes each other, resulting in a neutral compound.
- Is potassium acetate a good deicer?
Potassium acetate is often used as an anti-icer because of its effectiveness on the runway surface. Preventing the build-up of ice and snow in the first place applied before ice conditions materialize or snowfall events.
Potassium hydroxide is combined with formic acid to form potassium formate, which is mixed at a concentration of 50% and used to lower the freezing point of water to -51 degree Celsius.
Potassium acetate becomes diluted by snow and ice after it is applied to a runway which finally leads to an effective point of freezing of -32 degree celsius.
- What chemical melts ice the fastest?
Because of its ability to accelerate the ice-melting process, Calcium Chloride is the best de-icing agent due to its ability to impose freezing point depression which makes it an ideal material. When compared to other ice-melt compounds, calcium chloride ice melt is the most effective ice melt when tested at lower temperatures. Calcium chloride is more expensive than other compounds, but it is less expensive than sodium acetate.
- What is the safest ice melt for driveways?
Potassium hydroxide is combined with acetic acid to make potassium acetate. The breaking down of ice and snow bonds and the penetration of pavement surfaces is facilitated and aided by potassium acetate which acts as a highly effective de-icer. -60 degrees celsius is the freezing point of potassium acetate. Potassium acetate is often used as an anti-icer because of its effectiveness on runway surfaces.
