Potassium
Also known as Kalium, Potassium, metal, Potassium metal
Key facts
What buyers check first
- Appearance
- Soft, silvery-white metal, body centered cubic structure
- Melting point
- 63.5 °C
- Boiling point
- 759 °C
- Density
- 0.856 g/cm³
- Flash point
- Not Applicable. Combustible solid.
- HS code
- 280519
- Category
- Metals, alloys and elements
- UN number
- UN 2257

What is Potassium?
Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms
Potassium atom is an alkali metal atom. It has a role as a macronutrient and a Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite.
Potassium is a chemical element with symbol K and atomic number 19.
Identifiers
Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy
- IUPAC name
- potassium
- CAS number
- 7440-09-7 CAS number cross-checked
- EC number
- 231-119-8
- Molecular formula
- K
- UNII
- RWP5GA015D
- MDL number
- MFCD00133776
- InChIKey
- ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- InChI
- InChI=1S/K
- SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
- [K]
Synonyms
- Kalium
- Potassium, metal
- Potassium metal
- Potassium, elemental
- Potassium (NOS)
- Potassium(1+) ion
- potassium atom
- potasio
- Kalium,
- ICP standard potassium 2-5% HNO3 1000 microg/mL
- Potassium - K @ 1000 microg/g in Hydrocarbon Oil
- Potassium - K @ 5000 microg/g in Hydrocarbon Oil
- Potassium Standard: K+ @ 1000 microg/mL in H2O
- Potassium Standard: K @ 1000 microg/mL in 5% HNO3
- Potassium Standard: K @ 10000 microg/mL in 5% HNO3
- monopotassium
- Potassium AA Standard: K @ 1000 microg/mL in 5% HNO3
- mono-potassium
- Sulfur-Free Boron Concentrate: B @ approx. 3 wt% in Hydrocarbons
- Atomic Potassium
- Potassium element
- Element-K
- Element:K
- Sulfur-Free Potassium Concentrate: K @ approx. 4 wt% in Hydrocarbons
- Element Potassium
Show all 38 synonymsShow fewer synonyms
- Element:Potassium
- Potassium40
- K (element)
- Potassium (atomic)
- Potassium, 2N+
- K Standard Solution
- Potassium (element)
- Potassium, SAJ first grade
- Potassium hydride, in paraffin
- Potassium, chunks, in mineral oil
- Potassium standard solution (100 ppm K)
- AA standard potassium 1M HNO3 1000 ppm
- AA standard potassium 1M HNO3 10000 ppm
Physical and chemical properties
Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure
Physical and chemical properties
Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade
| Appearance | Soft, silvery-white metal, body centered cubic structureexp.Measured value |
|---|---|
| Melting point | 63.5 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Boiling point | 759 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Density | 0.856 g/cm³exp.Measured value |
| Flash point | Not Applicable. Combustible solid.exp.Measured value |
| Solubility | Solubility in water: reactionexp.Measured value |
| Vapour pressure | 8 mm Hg at 432 °Cexp.Measured value |
Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.
Computed descriptors
Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation
| Molecular weight | 39.10 g/molcalc.Computed value |
|---|---|
| Exact mass | 38.9637 Dacalc.Computed value |
| LogP (octanol/water) | -0.38calc.Computed value |
| Topological polar surface area | 0 Ųcalc.Computed value |
| Hydrogen bond donors | 0calc.Computed value |
| Hydrogen bond acceptors | 0calc.Computed value |
| Rotatable bonds | 0calc.Computed value |
| Heavy atoms | 1calc.Computed value |
| Rings | 0calc.Computed value |
| Aromatic rings | 0calc.Computed value |
| Fraction sp3 carbons | 0calc.Computed value |
| Formal charge | 0calc.Computed value |
| Stereocentres | 0calc.Computed value |
Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.
Safety and hazards
GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet
Hazard statements
- H260In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously.
- H314Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
Precautionary statements (17)
- P223Do not allow contact with water.
- P231 + P232Handle and store contents under inert gas. Protect from moisture.
- P260Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
- P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P301 + P330 + P331If swallowed: Rinse mouth. Do not induce vomiting.
- P302 + P335 + P334If on skin: Brush off loose particles from skin. Immerse in cool water or wrap in wet bandages.
- P302 + P361 + P354If on skin: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Immediately rinse with water for several minutes.
- P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P305 + P354 + P338If in eyes: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P316Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
- P363Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
- P370 + P378In case of fire: Use appropriate media to extinguish.
- P402 + P404Store in a dry place. Store in a closed container.
- P405Store locked up.
- P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
- UN number
- UN 2257
- Transport hazard class
- 4.3
- Packing group
- I
GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.
Full safety data and first aidPotassium suppliers
Sponsored listings first, then the documented ranking: membership, verification, replies, completeness, freshness and ratings
- United Kingdom ManufacturerUnclaimed profilePotassiumGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
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Where suppliers are based
53 suppliers in 12 countries
- United States17
- India9
- China7
- Germany6
- Spain3
- United Kingdom3
- and 6 more countries
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Potassium price
Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers
Suppliers quote this chemical on request. Send one free request and compare quotes side by side.
Uses and applications
What the substance is used for, by industry and function
In synthesis of inorganic potassium compds, inorganic syntheses involving condensation, dehalogenation, reduction, and polymerization reactions.
Laboratory reagent, seeding of combustion gases in magnetohydrodynamic generators.
Use of the vaporized metal in turbines has been reported.
Industries and functions
Roles
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite
- anti-arrhythmia drug
- antihypertensive agent
- cardiovascular drug
- eukaryotic metabolite
- food component
- fungal metabolite
- macronutrient
- metabolite
- nutrient
- pharmaceutical
- physiological role
Pharmacology
Potassium is an element with atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10.
How it is made
A continuous process currently in use depends upon the equilibrium that is rapidly established at high temperatures between sodium and potassium metals and sodium and potassium chlorides. The potassium is removed by distillation and, with a constant feed of molten potassium chloride, a continuous process results
Regulatory status
Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance
Europe
- EU harmonised classification (CLP Annex VI)Index no: 019-001-00-2
United States
- TSCA inventory (USA)Status: Active in US commerce
HS code and trade data
Customs classification and reported world trade statistics
Global trade
World import and export statistics for the HS code Potassium is traded under.
Alkali or alkaline-earth metals, other
- Germany59.4%
- United States7.9%
- France * partner reported4.7%
* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.
The HS code shown for Potassium is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about Potassium, based on the data on this page
What is Potassium?
What is the CAS number of Potassium?
What is the molecular formula and weight of Potassium?
What is Potassium used for?
Is Potassium hazardous?
What is the HS code of Potassium?
Where can I buy Potassium?
Where can I buy Potassium in India?
What is the price of Potassium?
Guides for buyers
Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Potassium
- Guide, SafetyHow to read a safety data sheet in 10 minutesA section by section method to pull the essentials out of any 16 section SDS: identity, hazards, composition, storage, PPE, properties, transport and emergency measures.Read
- Guide, Trade and logisticsShipping dangerous goods: UN numbers, classes and packing groupsHow the UN dangerous goods system works for chemicals, from the nine classes and UN numbers to packing groups, UN packaging marks, labels, documents and segregation.Read
- Guide, SafetyGHS pictograms, signal words and hazard statements explainedA practical guide to the nine GHS pictograms, the signal words Danger and Warning, H and P statements, and how to read a chemical label in seconds.Read
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