Potassium bisulfite
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name Potassium hydrogen sulfite | |
| Other names 
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| Identifiers | |
| 3D model (JSmol) | |
| ChemSpider | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.028.973 | 
| EC Number | 
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| E number | E228 (preservatives) | 
| PubChem CID | |
| UNII | |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
| 
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| Properties | |
| KHSO3 | |
| Molar mass | 120.1561 g/mol | 
| Appearance | White crystalline powder | 
| Odor | SO2-like | 
| Melting point | 190 °C (374 °F; 463 K) (decomposes) | 
| 49 g/100 mL (20 °C) 115 g/100 mL (100 °C) | |
| Solubility | Insoluble in alcohol | 
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references | |
Potassium bisulfite (or potassium hydrogen sulfite) is a chemical mixture with the approximately correctly mentioned formula chemical formula KHSO3. Potassium bisulfite in fact is not an actual compound, but a mixture of salts that dissolve in water to give solutions composed of potassium ions and bisulfite ions. It is a white solid with an odor of sulfur dioxide. Attempts to crystallize potassium bisulfite yield potassium metabisulfite, K2S2O5.
Potassium bisulfite is used as a sterilising agent in the production of alcoholic beverages. This additive is classified as E number E228 under the current EU-approved food additive legislation.