Potassium Bisulfite

Name:
Potassium Bisulfite
Detailed information:

Chemistry name:	potassium acid sulfite; potassium hydrogen sulfite
M Formula:	KHSO3
Properties:
White, crystalline powder; sulfur dioxide odor. Mp decomposes at 190C. Soluble in water; insoluble in alcohol.
Derivation:
Sulfur dioxide is passed through a solution of potassium carbonate until no more carbon dioxide is given off; the solution is concentrated and allowed to crystallize.
Grade:
Commercial, reagent, medicinal.
Use:
Reduction of various organic compounds; purification of aldehydes and ketones, iodine, sodium hydrosulfite; antiseptic; source of sulfurous acid, particularly in brewing; analytical chemistry; tanning; bleaching straw and textile fibers; chemical preservative in foods (except meats and other sources of vitamin B1).