Potassium carbonate sesquihydrate (CAS 6381-79-9)

Potassium carbonate sesquihydrate (K2CO3·1.5H2O) is a hydrated form of potassium carbonate, a white, water-soluble salt that is predominantly used in various industrial and research applications due to its basic properties. This chemical plays a crucial role in the fields of chemistry and materials science, particularly in the processing of glass and other ceramic materials. The addition of potassium carbonate sesquihydrate to glass formulations reduces the melting temperature and improves the viscosity of the glass mixture during the melting process, which is essential for manufacturing high-quality glass with specific optical properties. In research, potassium carbonate sesquihydrate is utilized as a buffering agent in biochemical assays to maintain a stable pH, which is crucial for enzyme activity and the stability of biological molecules. Moreover, it is employed in organic synthesis as a mild base for the deprotonation of weak acids and in the production of potassium salts of organic acids, which are significant in various synthesis reactions. The compound′s ability to absorb moisture from the environment also makes it useful in humidity control applications within laboratory settings. Through these diverse applications, potassium carbonate sesquihydrate demonstrates its versatility and importance in advancing scientific research and industrial processes, offering valuable properties that facilitate improvements in material characteristics and experimental outcomes.