Potassium Iodate - KIO3

What is Potassium Iodate?

Potassium iodate is an oxidising agent and it can cause fires when it comes into touch with flammable materials or reducing agents.

The chemical formula for potassium iodate is KIO3. It can be prepared by reacting potassium bases like KOH with iodic acid. Potassium iodate is the major chemical compound used for the iodization of edible common salts. It provides a convenient way of performing iodometric work. Potassium iodate is also sometimes used to precipitate thorium especially to remove it from the rare earth elements.

Table of Contents

Properties of Potassium Iodate

KIO3 Potassium Iodate
The density of Potassium iodate 3.89 g/cm³
Molecular Weight/ Molar Mass of Potassium iodate 214.001 g/mol
The specific gravity of Potassium iodate 4.93 g/cm3
Melting Point of Potassium iodate 560 °C
Chemical Formula of Potassium iodate KIO3

Potassium Iodate Structure – KIO3

Potassium Iodate Structure 1

Physical Properties of Potassium Iodate – KIO3

Odour Odourless
Appearance White crystalline powder
Covalently-Bonded Unit 2
Heat capacity 313 J Kg-1 K-1
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor 3
Solubility Soluble in KI solution insoluble in alcohol

Chemical Properties of Potassium Iodate – KIO3

Potassium iodate combines with potassium iodide in the presence of strong acid like sulfuric acid forms potassium sulfate, iodine and water.

KIO3 + 5KI + 3H2SO4 → 3K2SO4 + 3H2O + 3I2

Potassium iodate reacts with silver nitrate forms silver iodate and potassium nitrate. The chemical reaction is given below.

KIO3 + AgNO3 → AgIO3 + KNO3

Uses of Potassium Iodate – KIO3

      • Used in the iodination of table salt because iodide can be oxidised by molecular oxygen to iodine under wet conditions.
      • Used in the analysis of testing arsenic and zinc.
      • Used in the iodometry in medicine manufacturing.
      • Used in food as a maturing agent and dough conditioner.
      • Used as a reagent and as feed additives.


Frequently Asked Questions

Q1

What is potassium iodate used for?

Uses of Potassium Iodate
1. It is used in the analysis of testing arsenic and zinc.
2. It is used in iodometry in medicine manufacturing.
3. It is used in food as a maturing agent and dough conditioner.
4. It is used as a reagent and as feed additives.

Q2

How is potassium iodate made?

Potassium iodate is produced by reacting potassium hydroxide to iodine acid or by reacting potassium hydroxide to iodine. This second reaction produces both iodide and iodate.

Q3

Is potassium iodate an acid or base?

Potassium iodate is a salt of a strong acid (iodic acid) and a strong base (KOH). The salts of strong acids and strong bases are neutral in nature.

Q4

Why is potassium iodide added to salt?

Often table salt comes in an “iodized” form which means it contains a small amount of potassium iodide or sodium iodide. Iodized salt is intended to provide us with the trace quantity we need of the chemical element iodine it needed for the proper functioning of our thyroid gland.

Q5

What does potassium iodide treat?

Potassium iodide and anti-thyroid medications are also used to prepare the thyroid gland for surgical removal, to treat other overactive thyroid disorders (hyperthyroidism), and to protect the thyroid in an emergency of radiation exposure.

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