7652. Potassium Percarbonate

Nomenclature

CAS number: 589-97-9
C2K2O6; mol wt 198.21.
C 12.12%, K 39.45%, O 48.43%.
K2C2O6.

Description and references

Prepn of practically anhydr compd: Partington, Fathallah, J. Chem. Soc. 1950, 1934.

Derivative

Monohydrate.

Properties

White, granular mass. Sol in water with evolution of oxygen. One part potassium percarbonate is sol in 15 parts of cold water; dec in boiling water; 100 parts water dissolve 6.5 parts potassium percarbonate at ordinary temp. Keep dry and protected from light.

Caution

Strong irritant. Causes vomiting if swallowed. Large quantities can be fatal.

Use

Has been used in microscopy for detecting tubercle bacilli stained with fuchsin in smears; in photography under the name Anti-hypo, to remove last traces of sodium thiosulfate; also as oxidizing agent in chem analyses, but is no longer favored.