Potassium carbonate

Potassium carbonate (CAS 584-08-7), also known historically as pearl ash and commercially listed as E501i, is an inorganic alkali used across food, industrial, and chemical manufacturing sectors.

Where is Potassium carbonate used?

• Food: leavening agent and pH modifier
• Cocoa processing, noodle manufacturing and confectionery: controlled alkalinity affects texture and color
• Glass and ceramics: flux that lowers melting points in specialty glass formulations
• Textile and leather processing: scouring and dyeing auxiliary that fixes dyes and regulates bath pH
• Personal care: alkalizing agent that adjusts product pH
• It functions as a pH regulator, buffering agent and reaction catalyst.
• Used in sealing materials and coatings, especially in products that must be alkali-resistant or moisture-repellent.
• Can be used for the deacidification of musts and wines.
• Used as a leavening agent together with sodium aluminum phosphate.
• Adding to liquid soap prevents hydrolysis and helps increase washing effectiveness.

Formulation notes

• Potassium hydrogen carbonate has a less alkaline pH than potassium carbonate, with a difference of about 2 on the pH scale.

Typical specification

• After drying 3 g for 4 hours at 180°C, the weight loss must be less than 1% for the anhydrous form.
• Minimum assay of 99.5% potassium carbonate (K2CO3).
• Commercially available in powder, micronized powder, granular, and solution forms.
• Potassium carbonate 25/1 is supplied as a white fine powder.
• Anhydrous potassium carbonate has a solubility of 1 g in 1 mL of water at 25°C.

Regulatory status

• Potassium carbonate 25/1 complies with the Food Chemicals Codex IV standard.
• Potassium carbonate 25/1 complies with the FAIA E501(i) standard.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Should be kept away from ignition sources, acids, bases, and strong solvents to avoid negative reactions.
• Must be stored in airtight containers.

Frequently asked questions about Potassium carbonate

What pharmaceutical grade of potassium carbonate is available?

Potassium carbonate anhydrous is supplied in a USP pharmaceutical grade.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.