Potassium Bromate: Overview, Questions, Preparation

Updated on Jun 4, 2024 17:12 IST

With the chemical formula KBrO3, potassium bromate is a commonly used source of bromine. It is an effective oxidising agent that is smoothly reduced to bromide. It is the potassium salt of bromide, and in a high state of purity, it is readily available. It serves as an efficient brominating agent in the substitute reaction.

Table of content

Physical Properties
Structural Formula of Potassium Bromate
Preparation of Potassium Bromate
Potassium Bromate is Class 10
Potassium Bromate is Class 11
Potassium Bromate in Class 12
Application of Potassium Bromate
Hazards of Potassium Bromate
Illustrated Examples
FAQs on Potassium Bromate

Physical Properties

Property	Particulars of Potassium Bromate
Density	3.27g/cm3
Molar mass	167g/mol
Boiling point	370°
Melting point	350°

Structural Formula of Potassium Bromate

It is an ionic compound with a hexagonal crystal structure. The ionic bond is formed between the potassium ion and bromate ion.

Preparation of Potassium Bromate

In 100 ml of water, 28 g of potassium hydroxide (as free as possible from potassium carbonate) is dissolved. The solution is then cooled down to room temperature, and 40 g (or 12.5 ml) of bromine, roughly 1 ml at a time, is added to the potassium hydroxide solution.

Potassium Bromate is Class 10

Class 10 has a basic study of the compound under the chapter' Acid, Bases, and Salts'.

Potassium Bromate is Class 11

In class 11, there are many chapters with references to some concept of potassium bromate. One of the main chapters outlines a redox reaction; as we have seen earlier, potassium bromate is an excellent oxidising agent.

Potassium Bromate in Class 12

In class 12, there is a chapter on 'Haloalkanes and Haloarenes' with considerable weightage in the board examination.

Application of Potassium Bromate

To prepare a regular solution that is stable forever, standard potassium bromate may be used directly. It is used as an antiseptic and astringent in 3 to 5 per cent solution in toothpaste, mouthwashes and gargles. Potassium bromate is mainly used in flour and dough as a conditioner; some of its non-food applications include an analytical chemistry oxidising agent and a brominating agent.

Hazards of Potassium Bromate

It is important to note that potassium bromate is a moderately toxic substance. The ingestion of Potassium Bromate can result in:

Diarrhoea
Vomiting
Reduced body temperature
Nausea
Methemoglobinemia
Respiratory stimulation
Renal damage

According to various studies, toothpaste containing KBrO3 can cause inflammation and bleeding of the gums in humans.

Illustrated Examples

1. Is KBrO3 acid or base?

Answer: Potassium bromate (KBrO3) is a powerful acidic compound.

2. What is the role of Baeyer's reagent?

Answer: KBrO3 is a bromate of potassium, and Baeyer's reagent is a cold potassium permanganate alkaline solution (KMnO4). It is a potent oxidising agent and is used to monitor unsaturation in the qualitative organic analysis.

3. Why can alkenes and alkynes decolourise the alkaline KMnO4 and bromine water?

Answer: Bromine water does not decolourise the alkynes. Alkynes have one or more triple bonds. The bromine splits its bonds with water when reacting with bromine water and forms bonds with the alkynes so that the alkyne can substitute the triple bond with a double bond.

FAQs on Potassium Bromate

Q: Is potassium bromate safe?

A: As it is known to cause kidney, thyroid, and gastrointestinal cancer in animals, potassium bromate may be a carcinogen in humans too.

Q: What is potassium bromate used for?

A: Potassium bromate, sometimes simply called bromate, is an oxidiser used to stabilise dough and improve its elasticity. This helps to make white and uniform bread.

Q: Why is potassium bromate banned?

A: Potassium bromate has been related to kidney and thyroid cancers in rats. Countries, including China, Brazil, and members of the European Union, have weighed the possible risks and agreed to ban the use of potassium bromate in food.

Q: What is potassium bromate's chemical formula?

A: KBrO3

Q: What does potassium bromate do to the body?

A: There is also the possibility of potassium bromate affecting the genetic material of cells. Potassium bromate can be converted into compounds called oxides and radicals in the body. These highly reactive molecules are capable of harming DNA and can play a role in cancer growth.