Potassium nitrate Potassium nitrate Potassium nitrate is a chemical compound with the chemical formula KNO. It is an ionic salt of potassium ions K and nitrate ions NO, and is therefore an alkali metal nitrate. It occurs in nature as a mineral, niter. It is a source of nitrogen, from which it derives its name. Potassium nitrate is one of several nitrogen-containing compounds collectively referred to as saltpeter or saltpetre. Major uses of potassium nitrate are in fertilizers, tree stump removal, rocket propellants and fireworks. It is one of the major constituents of gunpowder (black powder) and has been used since the
Potassium bromate use in 2005, claiming they had new production methods to reduce the amount of the chemical which remained in the final product. Potassium bromate Potassium bromate (KBrO), is a bromate of potassium and takes the form of white crystals or powder. It is a strong oxidizing agent. Potassium bromate is produced when bromine is passed through a hot solution of potassium hydroxide. This first forms unstable potassium hypobromite, which quickly disproportionates into bromide and bromate: Electrolysis of potassium bromide solutions will also give bromate. Both processes are analogous to those used in the production of chlorates. Potassium bromate is readily