Structure of Potash Alum

Potash alum has an octahedral structure in its hydrated form and a cubic structure in an alkali solution. The structure of a potash alum is given below:

Some key features of potash alum structure include:

  • Octahedral shape: Potash alum crystals are octahedral, with each molecule surrounded by six water molecules.
  • Dodecahydrate form: Potash alum is commonly encountered as the dodecahydrate, meaning that each molecule of the compound is associated with twelve molecules of water
  • Colorless and highly soluble: Potash alum is almost colorless and highly soluble in water.
  • Heat-sensitive: The compound turns red when heated to a certain degree.

Potash Alum

Potash Alum also known as Potassium Aluminum Sulfate is a chemical compound commonly used as potassium sulfate dodecahydrate. It has an octahedral structure in a neutral solution and changes into a cubic structure in an alkali solution. This compound is a double salt and is frequently utilized in medicine and water treatment procedures. It is often termed as ‘fitkari‘.

In this article, we will have a detailed description of the Potash Alum, properties of potash alum, uses of the potash alum, and how the potash alum is prepared.

  • 258.192 g/mol (anhydrous)
  • 474.37 g/mol (dodecahydrate)

IUPAC Name

Aluminum Potassium Sulfate Dodecahydrate

Chemical Formula

K2SO4.Al2(SO4)3.24H2O

Molar Mass

948 gm/mol

Density

1.725 g/cm3

Melting Point

92 to 95 °C (198 to 203 °F; 365 to 368 K)

Boiling Point

200 °C (392 °F; 473 K)

Table of Content

  • What is Potash Alum?
  • Structure of Potash Alum
  • Properties of Potash Alum
  • Preparation of Potash Alum
  • Uses of Potash Alum

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What is Potash Alum?

Potash Alum also termed as Potassium Alum contains a wide variety of highly complex species, such as aluminum polymers, which influence the kind of product, which in turn depends on various factors like dosage, pH, rate of hydroxide supplementation, and mixing. Alum’s flexibility also makes it exceptionally adaptable, allowing for the manipulation of different coagulation mechanisms....

Structure of Potash Alum

Potash alum has an octahedral structure in its hydrated form and a cubic structure in an alkali solution. The structure of a potash alum is given below:...

Properties of Potash Alum

Some of the important properties of potash alum are listed below:...

Preparation of Potash Alum

Typically, alunite is the mineral from which potash alum is derived. But potassium alum is also made industrially these days. Adding potassium sulfate to concentrated aluminum sulfate solution is one of the most popular preparation techniques. Potassium chloride can be used instead of potassium sulfate if the sulfate has a higher iron content....

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