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 bifluoride it to generate, for the first time, hydrogen fluoride. Potassium bifluoride is prepared by treating potassium carbonate or potassium hydroxide with hydrofluoric acid: The electrolysis of KHF was used by Henri Moissan to isolate the element fluorine in 1886. A related material containing two equivalents of HF is also known, KHF (CAS#12178-06-2, m.p. 71.7 C). The industrial production of fluorine entails the electrolysis of molten KHF. Potassium bifluoride Potassium bifluoride is the inorganic compound with the formula KHF. This colourless salt consists of the potassium cation and the bifluoride (HF) anion. The salt is used in etchant for glass. Sodium