What Are The Physical Properties Of Potassium Oxalate?
Potassium oxalate is a white crystalline solid with a formula of K2C2O4. Its physical properties include:
1. Melting point: The melting point of potassium oxalate is 365 °C.
2. Solubility: Potassium oxalate is soluble in water, ethanol, and methanol but insoluble in most organic solvents.
3. Density: The density of potassium oxalate is 2.13 g/cm³.
4. pH: Potassium oxalate solutions are slightly acidic with a pH of around 6.
5. Crystal structure: Potassium oxalate crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system.
6. Thermal stability: Potassium oxalate decomposes upon heating to produce potassium carbonate and carbon dioxide.
7. Hygroscopicity: Potassium oxalate is hygroscopic, which means it can absorb moisture from the air.
8. Optical properties: Potassium oxalate is transparent to light and has a refractive index of around 1.5.
Overall, potassium oxalate is a stable and relatively inert compound with a range of physical properties that make it useful in various applications, such as in the production of photographic films and as a reducing agent in some chemical reactions.