![]() Its solubility curve makes recrystallization easy, being only somewhat soluble in freezing water (13.3 g/100 ml at 0 ☌), but very soluble in boiling water (246 g/100 ml at 100 ☌). Potassium nitrate is white solid with a melting point of 334 ☌. The ignition also releases copious amounts of caramelized sugar particles, giving the smoke a sweet fragrance. The solid end product of this reaction is potassium carbonate, plus some of the leftover reactants. Presence of iron may also lead to formation of Prussian blue.Ī mixture of sucrose (most sugars work) and potassium nitrate known as rock candy can be ignited, producing pink flames and large amounts of white smoke, useful for improvised smoke bombs. If you attempt to try this reaction, AVOID ADDING ACID TO THE RESULTED SLAG AS IT WILL GIVE OFF HYDROGEN CYANIDE GAS WHICH CAN BE DEADLY (see the Sciencemadness thread below). Potassium nitrate will react with hydrochloric acid to release nitric acid, that will give off nitrogen dioxide fumes:Ģ KNO 3 + 2 HCl + H 2O → 2 KCl + HNO 3 + NO 2 + H 2Oīy adding an excess of HCl, this reaction can be used to generate "poor man's aqua regia".Ī substantial amount of energetic materials are based on the nitrate ion, and it is arguably the most important ion when it comes to explosives, such as black powder.ġ0 KNO 3 + 3 S + 8 C → 2 K 2CO 3 + 3 K 2SO 4 + 6 CO 2 + 5 N 2Ī less known reaction is the synthesis of potassium cyanide, by reacting a mixture of potassium nitrate and charcoal in a cast iron bowl, in an inert atmosphere to prevent combustion or oxidation to potassium cyanate: ![]() Molten potassium nitrate will react with carbon dioxide and water vapors to form potassium carbonate and hydroxide. When heated to to temperatures between 550 and 790 ☌, under an oxygen atmosphere, it loses oxygen and converts into potassium nitrite: Potassium nitrate is a good source of both potassium and nitrate ions.
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