Potassium

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Potassium
Chemical formula K
Atomic Number 19 
OTP appearance grey solid 
Molar Mass(g/mol) 39.1 
Density(g/cc) 0.8 
Melting Point(°C) 63.5 
Boiling Point(°C) 759
NFPA 704
NFPA704.png
3
3
2
W

Uses

Primary

  • Important chemical substituent
  • Important halide exchange metal

Natural occurrence

Hazards

  • Potassium will spontaneously (exothermically) oxidize when exposed to air
  • Potassium will react violently when exposed to water, producing heat and flammable hydrogen gas, a potentially bad combination.
  • Potassium is very reactive in general

Production

File:KClNaClBps.png
Gaseous extraction of elemental potassium
  • from -chloride and sodium metal by thermal reduction and halide exchange. KCl and an excess of Na are intermixed in an oxygen-free environment and the temperature is maintained above 801°C and below 1156°C, the potassium escapes as a gas, leaving a mixture of molten sodium and molten salt behind.
    KCl(l) + Na(l)
    {
    1000°C}
    K(g) + NaCl(l)
  • from -chloride via electrolysis. cf. Downs cell
    2 KCl(l)
    {
    770°C, 7-10V}
    2 K(l) + Cl2(g)

Purification

==Testing

Storage

Disposal

See Also

References