Lithium Sulfide Sputtering TargetCAS #: 12136-58-2

Synonyms 

Lithium sulphide, Lithium sulfide anhydrous, dilithium sulfide, dilithium sulfanide

Compound Formula: Li2S 

Molecular Weight: 45.95 

Appearance: solid 

Melting Point: 938° C (1,720° F) 

Boiling Point: 1,372° C (2,502° F) 

Density: 1.66 g/cm3 

Solubility in H2O: High, reacts violently 

Exact Mass: 46.00408 

Monoisotopic Mass: 46.00408

Product Introduction: Potassium Chloride (KCl, CAS #: 12136-58-2)

Potassium chloride, with the chemical formula KCl and CAS number 12136-58-2, is a widely used inorganic compound consisting of potassium cations (K⁺) and chloride anions (Cl⁻). This odorless, colorless crystalline solid is one of the most abundant potassium salts, valued for its high solubility, low cost, and versatility across industries ranging from agriculture to pharmaceuticals. Its natural occurrence in minerals like sylvite and carnallite, combined with straightforward production methods, makes it a staple in both industrial processes and daily life applications.

Chemical & Physical Properties

Potassium chloride exhibits key properties that underpin its broad utility:

Solubility: Highly soluble in water (approximately 34.2 g/100 mL at 20°C), with solubility increasing with temperature. It is slightly soluble in ethanol but insoluble in organic solvents like ether, making it ideal for aqueous formulations.

Melting & Boiling Points: Melts at 770°C and boils at 1,420°C, demonstrating excellent thermal stability for high-temperature applications such as metal processing.

Hygroscopicity: Non-hygroscopic under normal conditions, meaning it does not absorb significant moisture from the air, reducing clumping and ensuring ease of storage.

Density: Approximately 1.98 g/cm³ for the solid, with a molar mass of 74.55 g/mol.

Taste: Has a salty taste, though less intense than sodium chloride (NaCl), which contributes to its use as a salt substitute.

Key Applications

Potassium chloride (CAS 12136-58-2) is employed across diverse sectors, leveraging its ionic properties and abundance:

Agriculture: The largest application of KCl is as a potassium fertilizer, often referred to as “muriate of potash.” Potassium is an essential nutrient for plant growth, supporting root development, disease resistance, and fruit quality. It is used in both granular and liquid formulations for crops like corn, wheat, and fruits.

Food Industry: Serves as a sodium chloride substitute in low-sodium diets, added to processed foods, beverages, and table salts to reduce sodium intake while maintaining flavor. It is also used as a mineral supplement in animal feed.

Medicine: Used in oral and intravenous (IV) formulations to treat potassium deficiency (hypokalemia) and maintain electrolyte balance. It is also an ingredient in saline solutions for dialysis and as a laxative in some over-the-counter medications.

Industrial Processes: Acts as a flux in metalworking to lower melting points and remove impurities during aluminum and magnesium alloy production. It is also used in the production of potassium hydroxide (KOH) via electrolysis and in the manufacturing of detergents and glass.

Water Treatment: Added to water softeners to regenerate ion-exchange resins, replacing calcium and magnesium ions with potassium ions to reduce water hardness.

Laboratory Research: A common reagent for preparing buffers, conducting electrolyte studies, and as a standard in analytical chemistry (e.g., calibration of ion-selective electrodes).

Advantages & Limitations

Potassium chloride offers distinct benefits alongside specific considerations:

Cost-Effectiveness: Abundant and easy to produce, making it one of the most affordable potassium sources for large-scale applications like fertilizers.

Nutritional Value: Provides essential potassium for both plants and animals, supporting critical biological functions without toxic byproducts.

Stability: Chemically inert under normal conditions, with no risk of hydrolysis or decomposition in aqueous solutions, ensuring consistent performance.

Limitations: High chloride content can harm chloride-sensitive crops (e.g., tobacco, potatoes) in agriculture, requiring alternative potassium fertilizers in such cases. In medicine, excessive intake can cause hyperkalemia, a dangerous condition marked by high blood potassium levels.

Synthesis & Quality Control

Potassium chloride is primarily sourced from natural minerals or produced via chemical processes:

Mining: Most KCl is extracted from underground deposits of sylvite (KCl) and carnallite (KCl·MgCl₂·6H₂O) through solution mining or conventional drilling. The ore is crushed, dissolved in water, and purified via crystallization.

Chemical Synthesis: In laboratory settings, KCl can be produced by neutralizing potassium hydroxide (KOH) with hydrochloric acid (HCl): KOH + HCl → KCl + H₂O.

Quality control includes:

Assay testing to ensure purity (typically 98–99.5% for industrial grades, 99.9% for pharmaceutical use).

Detection of impurities like sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, and heavy metals via ion chromatography or atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS).

Moisture analysis to ensure levels below 1% for agricultural and industrial grades.

Safety & Handling

Potassium chloride is generally safe when handled properly, with minimal risks:

Toxicity: Low acute toxicity, but excessive ingestion (e.g., in medicine) can cause hyperkalemia, leading to heart arrhythmias. Avoid use in patients with kidney dysfunction.

Handling: No special protective equipment is required for industrial handling, though dust inhalation should be avoided. Use gloves and goggles when working with fine powders to prevent eye or skin irritation.

Storage: Store in dry, well-ventilated areas in sealed containers to prevent contamination. It is compatible with most materials, including plastic and metal.

Disposal: Non-hazardous under normal conditions; excess can be disposed of in regular waste or used as a fertilizer, following local regulations.

Refer to the product’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for specific guidelines, especially for pharmaceutical-grade KCl.

Packaging & Availability

Potassium chloride is available in versatile forms to suit application needs:

Granular or Powder: Packaged in bags (25kg–50kg) for agricultural and industrial use, with smaller containers (1kg–10kg) for laboratory and food applications.

Pharmaceutical Grade: Available in tablets, capsules, or powder form in blister packs or sealed bottles, meeting strict regulatory standards (e.g., USP, EP).

Liquid Solutions: Pre-dissolved solutions (10–30% w/w) for industrial processes and medical IV formulations, packaged in plastic drums or sterile vials.

Bulk quantities (1,000kg+) are available for agricultural and industrial customers, with custom particle sizes and purities on request.

For technical specifications, pricing, or to inquire about specific grades, contact our sales team, which specializes in inorganic salts for agriculture, food, and industrial markets.

Health & Safety Information

 Signal Word: Danger 

Hazard Statements: H301-H314-H228-H261-H315-H319 

Hazard Codes: C 

Precautionary Statements: P210-P231+P232-P261 

Risk Codes: 22-31-34 

Safety Statements: 26-36/37/39-45 

RTECS Number: OJ6439500 

Transport Information: UN 2923 8/PG 2 

WGK Germany: 3 

GHS Pictogram: Image,Image

Chemical Identifiers

 Linear Formula: Li2S 

Pubchem CID: 10290727 

MDL Number: MFCD00011085 

EC No.: 235-228-1 

IUPAC Name: dilithium; sulfide 

Beilstein/Reaxys No.: N/A 

SMILES: [Li+].[Li+].[S-2] 

InchI Identifier: InChI=1S/2Li.S/q2*+1;-2 

InchI Key: GLNWILHOFOBOFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Packing of Standard Packing: 

Typical bulk packaging includes palletized plastic 5 gallon/25 kg. pails, fiber and steel drums to 1 ton super sacks in full container (FCL) or truck load (T/L) quantities. Research and sample quantities and hygroscopic, oxidizing or other air sensitive materials may be packaged under argon or vacuum. Solutions are packaged in polypropylene, plastic or glass jars up to palletized 735 gallon liquid totes Special package is available on request.