General Description
Odorless white solid. Sinks in and mixes slowly with water.
Reactivity Profile
POTASSIUM OXALATE(583-52-8) gives basic aqueous solutions. Reacts as a base to neutralize acids in reactions that generate heat, but less than is generated by neutralization of the bases in reactivity group 10. Can serve as a reducing agent in reactions that generate carbon dioxide.
Air & Water Reactions
Water soluble.
Hazard
Toxic by inhalation and ingestion.
Health Hazard
Inhalation of dust can cause systemic poisoning. Ingestion causes burning pain in throat, esophagus, and stomach; exposed areas of mucous membrane turn white; vomiting, severe purging, weak pulse, and cardiovascular collapse may result; if death is delayed, neuromuscular symptoms develop. Contact with eyes or skin causes irritation.
Fire Hazard
Behavior in Fire: Loses water at about 160° and decomposes to carbonate with no charring. The reaction is not hazardous.
Chemical Properties
Colorless, transparent crystals; odorless.
Soluble in water.
Chemical Properties
The anhydrous salt, mol wt 166.22, is obtained when the monohydrate is dehydrated at 160 °C. The monohydrate is preferred as a reagent in analytical chemistry and in miscellaneous uses principally because of its high solubility as compared with other simple neutral oxalates.
Flammability and Explosibility
Notclassified
