Potassium sulfite is the
inorganic compound with the formula K
2SO
3. It is the
salt
Salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl), a chemical compound belonging to the larger class of salts; salt in the form of a natural crystalline mineral is known as rock salt or halite. Salt is present in vast quant ...
of
potassium
Potassium is the chemical element with the symbol K (from Neo-Latin ''kalium'') and atomic number19. Potassium is a silvery-white metal that is soft enough to be cut with a knife with little force. Potassium metal reacts rapidly with atmosph ...
cation and
sulfite anion. It is a white solid that is highly soluble in water.
Use
Potassium sulfite is widely used for
preserving food and beverages.
Production and reactions
Potassium sulfite is produced by the thermal decomposition of
potassium metabisulfite
Potassium metabisulfite, K2S2O5, also known as potassium pyrosulfite, is a white crystalline powder with a pungent odour. It is mainly used as an antioxidant or chemical sterilant. As a disulfite, it is chemically very similar to sodium metabi ...
at 190°C:
:K
2S
2O
5 → K
2SO
3 + SO
2
References
Potassium compounds
Sulfites
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