Potassium bicarbonate (also known as potassium hydrogen carbonate or potassium acid carbonate), is a colorless, odorless, slightly basic, salty substance. The compound is used as a source of carbon dioxide for leavening in baking, extinguishing fire in powder fire extinguishers, acting as a reagent, and a strong buffer in medications. The FDA recognizes potassium bicarbonate as "generally recognized as safe".
Potassium bicarbonate is soluble in water, and is often found added to bottled water to affect taste; however it is not soluble in alcohol. Decomposition of the substance occurs between 100°C and 120°C into K2CO3 (potassium carbonate), H2O (water), and CO2 (carbon dioxide). In concentrations greater than 0.5%, KHCO3 can have phytotoxic effects on plants (potassium bicarbonate has widespread use in crops, especially for neutralizing acidic soil), although there is no evidence of human carcinogenicity, no adverse effects of overexposure, and no LD50.
Physically, potassium bicarbonate occurs as a crystal or a soft white granular powder. It is manufactured by reacting potassium carbonate with carbon dioxide via electrolysis:
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