583-52-8

Odorless white solid. Sinks in and mixes slowly with water.

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.

Water soluble.

Toxic by inhalation and ingestion.

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.

Behavior in Fire: Loses water at about 160° and decomposes to carbonate with no charring. The reaction is not hazardous.

Colorless, transparent crystals; odorless. Soluble in water.

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.

Notclassified