Potassium bisulfate

Potassium bisulfate is a water soluble inorganic salt mainly used as a preservative, as a flux and also in the manufacture of fertilizers.

Potassium bisulfate is an inorganic potassium salt. On heating it from 300 to 700°C, it transforms to molten form and the reactions occurring in this transition have been investigated by Raman spectra. Its electrical conductance values have been evaluated (T = 0-700C, Pressure = upto 4000bars).

Potassium bisulfate (Potassium hydrogen sulfate) may be employed as a catalyst in the synthesis of butyl paraben and methyl cinnamate. It may also be used for the gravimetric estimation of beryllium in beryl.

Potassium bisulfate may be used:

• As a catalyst for the preparation of butyl paraben from p-hydroxybenzoic acid and n-butyl alcohol.
• As a promoter for the synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one derivatives via Biginelli reaction in ethylene glycol.
• As an acid catalyst for the synthesis of ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) from ethanol and tert-butyl alcohol via reactive distillation.
• As a dehydrating agent for the synthesis of pyruvic acid from tartaric acid.