sulfate is a non-flammable white crystalline salt which is soluble in water. The chemical is commonly used in fertilizers, providing both potassium and sulfur. There are some basic informations about this crude drug: (1)CAS number: ; (2)Molecular formula: K₂SO₄; (3)PubChem: 24507; (4)ChemSpider: 22915; (5)UNII: 1K573LC5TV; (6)KEGG: D01726; (7)Molar mass: 174.259 g/mol; (8)Appearance: White crystalline solid; (9)Solubility in water: 111 g/L (20 °C), 120 g/L (25 °C), 240 g/L (100 °C); (10)Solubility: slightly soluble in glycerol insoluble in acetone, alcohol, CS₂.

The principal use of is as a fertilizer. The crude salt is also used occasionally in the manufacture of glass. The anhydrous crystals form a double six-sided pyramid, but are in fact classified as rhombic. They are transparent, very hard and have a bitter, salty taste. The salt is soluble in water, but insoluble in solutions of potassium hydroxide (sp. gr. 1.35), or in absolute ethanol. It melts at 1067 °C.