Salts and esters of acetic acid are called acetates.They are mainly used as a mordant, whereby fixed dyes on the fiber.In particular, potassium acetate (systematic name in English - Potassium acetate, synonym - potassium salt) is a potassium salt of acetic acid, has the chemical formula CH3COOK.The molar mass equal to 98.15 g / mol.
Under normal conditions, potassium acetate is a white crystalline powder that is hygroscopic, so the air spreads.Its density is 1.57 g / cc.The salt is readily soluble in water: 100 ml dissolves slightly more than 200 grams of the salt at 20 ° C and 492 g of - at 62 ° C.Potassium acetate is readily soluble in alcohol (ethanol and methanol) and ammonia, is insoluble in ether and acetone.The decomposition temperature is potassium acetate plus 292 ° C.
obtained potassium acetate by reaction of basic compounds such as potassium hydroxide (KOH) or potassium carbonate (K2CO3) with acetic acid resulting neutralization reaction: KOH + CH3COOH → CO2 + CH3COOK + H2O or double exchange: K2CO3 + CH3COOH → CO2+ CH3COOK + H2O.For metals standing in the electrochemical series of hydrogen to the left, for example, potassium or magnesium, characterized by reaction with acids, non-oxidants.Such acids include acetic acid.When it interacts, e.g., magnesium, magnesium acetate is obtained: 2CH3COOH + Mg → Mg (CH3COO) 2 + H2.But this method has no practical use for the preparation of the magnesium or potassium salt of acetic acid.In a free state, these metals do not exist in nature, and potassium because of their reactivity reacts readily with water and oxidized by atmospheric oxygen.Yet it is a very expensive metal and is used even less often than sodium.
potassium acetate according to GOST 5820-78 is used in the production of silicon-organic polymers (silicones - trend in the production of polymer products and important perspective).Also, the potassium acetate is used as catalyst in the production of polyurethanes.Another important area of application of potassium acetate - using it as a de-icer.This reagent has a number of advantages (it is less aggressive in respect of the soil), and therefore replaces the magnesium or calcium chloride in the processing of runways at airports, and its corrosive effects on the metals is less than the chlorides.Potassium Acetate is harmless to most surfaces, including concrete, metal, wood, water courses, lawns and vegetation.But since its price is higher than that of the chlorides, the latter is often preferred, despite the environmental disturbances and increased wear of the equipment.In addition, potassium acetate, is an effective fire-extinguishers and used to extinguish fires.It is used for extinguishing oil.
Acetic Potassium is not only used in industrial facilities, but also in medicine and food industry (effective preservative E261, manufactured in accordance with GOST 5820-78).For comparison, another salt of the carboxylic acid - Calcium acetate - not industrial applications.It is produced only in vitro by exposure to acetic acid, calcium carbonate.The reaction leads to the complete elimination of carbon dioxide: CaCO3 + 2CH3COOH → CO2 ↑ + (CH3COO) 2Ca + H2O.Used (CH3COO) 2Ca only as a food additive E263 because (as CH3COOK) is effective as a preservative.
replacement therapy for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis is used potassium acetate.The result can be prevented ketoatsidoticheskaya diabetic coma, which may happen as a result of metabolic acidosis (decrease in pH), metabolic disorders caused due to the deficiency of the hormone of the pancreas (insulin).High concentrations of blood glucose and ketone bodies which are significantly higher than the physiological values causes ketoatsidoticheskaya diabetic coma.Potassium Acetate is used as a food additive, as is able to reduce the level of acidity, decompose to hydrogen.For this reason it is used to treat patients diagnosed with diabetes first type.
