What is Potassium Iodate?
Potassium iodate is an oxidising agent and as such it can cause fires if in contact with combustible materials or reducing agents.
The chemical formula for potassium iodate is KIO3. It can be prepared by reacting potassium base with iodic acid. Potassium iodate is the major chemical compound used for iodization of edible common salts. It provides a convenient way of performing iodimetric work. Potassium iodate is also sometimes used to precipitate thorium especially to remove it from the rare earths.
Properties of Potassium Iodate
| KIO3 | Potassium Iodate |
| Density of Potassium iodate | 3.89 g/cm³ |
| Molecular Weight/ Molar Mass of Potassium iodate | 214.001 g/mol |
| Specific gravity of Potassium iodate | 4.93 g/cm3 |
| Melting Point of Potassium iodate | 560 °C |
| Chemical Formula of Potassium iodate | KIO3 |
Potassium Iodate Structure – KIO3
Structure of Potassium Iodate
Physical Properties of Potassium Iodate – KIO3
| Odour | Odourless |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Covalently-Bonded Unit | 2 |
| Heat capacity | 313 J Kg-1 K-1 |
| Hydrogen Bond Acceptor | 3 |
| Solubility | Soluble in KI solution insoluble in alcohol |
Chemical Properties of Potassium Iodate – KIO3
-
- Potassium iodate combines with potassium iodide in the presence of strong acid like sulfuric acid forms potassium sulfate, iodine and water.
KIO3 + 5KI + 3H2SO4 → 3K2SO4 + 3H2O + 3I2
-
- Potassium iodate reacts with silver nitrate forms silver iodate and potassium nitrate. The chemical reaction is given below.
KIO3 + AgNO3 → AgIO3 + KNO3
Uses of Potassium Iodate – KIO3
- Used in the iodination of table salt because iodide can be oxidised by molecular oxygen to iodine under wet conditions.
- Used in the analysis of testing arsenic and zinc.
- Used in the iodometry in medicine manufacturing.
- Used in food as a maturing agent and dough conditioner.
- Used as a reagent and as feed additives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is potassium iodate used for?
Potassium iodate tablets are used when a nuclear disaster occurs; the tablets protect the thyroid gland (located in your neck) from picking up radioactive iodine, which could be released into the atmosphere during a nuclear accident. Radioactive Iodine is harmful to babies and children and is extremely dangerous.
How is potassium iodate made?
Potassium iodate is produced by reacting potassium hydroxide to iodine acid or by reacting potassium hydroxide to iodine. This second reaction produces both iodide and iodate.
Is potassium iodate an acid or base?
Potassium iodate is an oxidizing agent and in contact with combustible materials or reducing agents, it can cause fires as well. This can be prepared by reacting with iodine acid to a base containing potassium, such as potassium hydroxide
Why is potassium iodide added to salt?
Often table salt comes in an “iodized” form which means it contains a small amount of potassium iodide or sodium iodide. Iodized salt is intended to provide us with the trace quantity we need of the chemical element iodine needed for the proper functioning of our thyroid gland.
What does potassium iodide treat?
Potassium iodide and anti-thyroid medications are also used to prepare the thyroid gland for surgical removal, to treat other overactive thyroid disorders (hyperthyroidism), and to protect the thyroid in an emergency of radiation exposure.
For more content on various other chemical compounds register with BYJU’S.
Read more:
Comments