Potassium Peroxymonosulfate
Potassium Peroxymonosulfate is the potassium salt of peroxymonosulfuric acid. It acts as a strong oxidizing agent with a wide array of applications spanning from water treatment, organic synthesis, disinfection, textiles and plastics.Its significance has grown regularly across various industries due to its unique and effective properties.
This compound exists primarily in two forms which is the monopotassium salt with the chemical formula KHSO5, and as a component of a more stable triple salt with the formula 2KHSO5•KHSO4•K2SO4.
Potassium Peroxymonosulfate is also known as Potassium Monopersulfate, Potassium caroate, Potassium Hydrogen Monopersulfate, Potassium Peroxomonosulfate, and Non-chlorine shock.
The commercially dominant form of Potassium Peroxymonosulfate is the triple salt which has the formula 2KHSO5•KHSO4•K2SO4.This triple salt is a combination of Potassium Peroxymonosulfate (KHSO5), Potassium Bisulfate (KHSO4), and Potassium Sulfate (K2SO4) in a 2:1:1 molar ratio. The triple salt is commonly identified by the CAS number 37222-66-5.
Production Method
Industrially, the triple salt is primarily produced from PeroxysulfuricAcid, which is produced on site by combining oleum (fuming sulfuric acid) and hydrogen peroxide.The resulting PeroxysulfuricAcid Solution is then carefully neutralized with Potassium Hydroxide, which leads to the crystallization of the triple salt.
Properties
| Properties | Potassium Peroxymonosulfate (Triple Salt) |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | 2KHSO₅.KHSO₄.K₂SO₄ |
| CAS No. | 37222-66-5 |
| Molecular Weight | 614.76 g/mol |
| Physical Form | White, granular, odorless, free-flowing powder |
| Fire extinguisher | Potassium Sulfate is used in the manufacturing of dry chemical powder extinguishers. |
| Color | White / Colorless |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 1.0 – 1.20 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in Water | 250–300 g/L at 20 °C |
| pH (1% solution, 25 °C) | 2.0 – 2.3 |
| Melting Point | Decomposes on heating (no distinct MP) |
| Hygroscopicity | Hygroscopic – readily absorbs moisture |
| Stability | Stable in triple salt form under dry storage |
Potassium Peroxymonosulfate uses:
| Application Category | Potassium PeroxymonosulfateEnd Use. |
|---|---|
| Water Treatment Industry | Non-chlorine shock in pools & spas; oxidizes pollutants (cyanide, H₂S, sulfides); algae control; removes iron & manganese from drinking water |
| Organic Synthesis | It is used as Oxidizes aldehydes: carboxylic acids/esters; cleaves alkenes; epoxidation; converts ketones: dioxiranes; oxidizes thioethers, tertiary amines, phosphines; halogenation catalyst in organic synthesis. |
| Disinfection and Healthcare Industry | It is used as broad-spectrum disinfectant (bacteria, fungi, viruses); sanitization of medical instruments; veterinary use in poultry and livestock |
| Textile Industry | It is used as oxidative desizing agent; low-temperature bleaching of wool andfibers in textile industry. |
| Plastics and Polymers Industry | It is used as radical initiator for polymerizationin plastics and polymers. |
| Pulp and Paper Industry | Used as pulp bleaching and de-inking in pulp and paper industry. |
| Metal Surface Treatment Industry | Micro-etchant in PCB manufacturing; surface preparation |
| Household and Consumer Industry. | Denture cleaners; oxygen-based laundry bleaches; hair bleaching and dye removal |
| Environmental Applications | Soil and groundwater remediation; oxidation of hydrocarbons and pollutants |
| Other Uses | Decolorizing and deodorizing oils; mildew and stain remover. |