Potassium oxalate

Chemical properties

Colorless, transparent crystals; odorless. Soluble in water.

Chemical properties

The anhydrous salt, mol wt 166.22, is obtained when the monohydrate is dehydrated at 160 °C. The monohydrate is preferred as a reagent in analytical chemistry and in miscellaneous uses principally because of its high solubility as compared with other simple neutral oxalates.

The Uses of Potassium oxalate

Potassium oxalate is a white crystal or powder made by neutralizing oxalic acid with potassium carbonate. It is soluble in water 1:3 but not in alcohol. Potassium oxalate was used as an early developer for gelatin plates but is best known as the developer for platinum prints.

The Uses of Potassium oxalate

Cleaning and bleaching straw, removing stains in photography; in vitro blood anticoagulant; also in analytical chemistry.

General Description

Potassium oxalate, K2C204, H20, is odorless, efforescent, water-soluble, colorless crystals that decompose when heated. Sinks in and mixes slowly with water. Used in analytical chemistry and photography, and as a bleach and oxalic acid source.

Air & Water Reactions

Water soluble.

Reactivity Profile

Potassium oxalate gives basic aqueous solutions. Reacts as a base to neutralize acids in reactions that generate heat, but less than is generated by neutralization of the bases in reactivity group 10. Can serve as a reducing agent in reactions that generate carbon dioxide.

Hazard

Toxic by inhalation and ingestion.

Health Hazard

Inhalation of dust can cause systemic poisoning. Ingestion causes burning pain in throat, esophagus, and stomach; exposed areas of mucous membrane turn white; vomiting, severe purging, weak pulse, and cardiovascular collapse may result; if death is delayed, neuromuscular symptoms develop. Contact with eyes or skin causes irritation.

Fire Hazard

Behavior in Fire: Loses water at about 160° and decomposes to carbonate with no charring. The reaction is not hazardous.

Flammability and Explosibility

Not classified