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Potassium Persulfate is an inorganic oxidizing salt composed of potassium ions and the peroxydisulfate anion, with the formula K₂S₂O₈.
Potassium Persulfate contains a peroxide linkage that can generate reactive sulfate radicals under suitable activation conditions.
Potassium Persulfate serves principally as a polymerization initiator, specialty oxidant, hair-lightening booster, and reagent for industrial processing and analytical chemistry.
CAS Number: 7727-21-1
EC Number: 231-781-8
Molecular Formula: K₂S₂O₈
Molecular Weight: 270.32 g/mol
Synonyms: Potassium persulphate, Potassium peroxydisulfate, Potassium peroxydisulphate, Potassium peroxodisulfate, Potassium peroxodisulphate, Dipotassium persulfate, Dipotassium persulphate, Dipotassium peroxydisulfate, Dipotassium peroxydisulphate, Dipotassium peroxodisulfate, Dipotassium peroxodisulphate, Potassium perdisulfate, Potassium perdisulphate, Peroxydisulfuric acid dipotassium salt, Peroxydisulphuric acid dipotassium salt, Peroxodisulfuric acid dipotassium salt, Peroxodisulphuric acid dipotassium salt, Peroxydisulfuric acid potassium salt, Anthion, KPS, K₂S₂O₈, CAS 7727-21-1, EINECS 231-781-8, PubChem CID 24412, UNII 6B86K0MCZC, RTECS SE0400000, MFCD00011386, Caswell No. 700, EC Index 016-061-00-1, USHAGKDGDHPEEY-UHFFFAOYSA-L
APPLICATIONS
Potassium Persulfate functions as a water-soluble initiator for free-radical polymerization of acrylic, vinyl, and styrenic monomers.
Potassium Persulfate generates initiating radicals through decomposition or an appropriately designed redox initiation system.
Potassium Persulfate supports production of latex polymers intended for paints, coatings, adhesives, and related formulated materials.
Potassium Persulfate influences polymerization rate and polymer characteristics, making initiator selection and process control important to the resulting dispersion.
Potassium Persulfate contributes to emulsion polymerization processes for synthetic elastomers, including styrene-butadiene and polychloroprene systems.
Potassium Persulfate supplies radicals that initiate monomer conversion within the polymerization medium.
Potassium Persulfate offers a potassium-based alternative within the persulfate initiator family when formulation chemistry favors that counterion.
Potassium Persulfate cannot be substituted automatically for ammonium or sodium persulfate because molar dosage, solubility, and formulation compatibility differ.
Potassium Persulfate serves as an oxidizing booster in formulated hair-lightening products.
Potassium Persulfate contributes to bleaching performance through the oxidative chemistry of the complete lightening system.
Potassium Persulfate requires cosmetic-grade qualification and compliance with the requirements governing the finished formulation and intended market.
Potassium Persulfate handling in this application must address dust exposure and sensitization because suitability for a formulated cosmetic use does not eliminate skin allergy or respiratory risks.
Potassium Persulfate acts as an oxidizing etchant and cleaner in selected printed circuit board manufacturing processes.
Potassium Persulfate supports oxidative removal of copper from surfaces where a compatible etching formulation is specified.
Potassium Persulfate assists surface preparation by providing oxidizing capacity within the treatment bath.
Potassium Persulfate selection for electronics depends on dissolution behavior, bath stability, metal loading, and impurity requirements rather than on oxidizing strength alone.
Potassium Persulfate functions as an oxidative gel breaker in selected oilfield fluid systems.
Potassium Persulfate promotes degradation of susceptible polymer chains, reducing viscosity after the fluid has performed its intended function.
Potassium Persulfate provides a means of controlling fluid cleanup when its activation behavior matches the downhole conditions.
Potassium Persulfate performance depends on temperature, fluid composition, polymer type, and the presence of activators or interfering constituents.
Potassium Persulfate supplies oxidizing capacity in selected environmental treatment systems for contaminated water or soil.
Potassium Persulfate can generate reactive species through suitable activation, allowing oxidation of susceptible organic contaminants.
Potassium Persulfate treatment requires evaluation of contaminant chemistry, oxidant demand, and the surrounding water or soil matrix.
Potassium Persulfate environmental use must include control of residual oxidant, treatment by-products, and changes in water chemistry.
Potassium Persulfate participates in oxidative depolymerization processes used to modify starch.
Potassium Persulfate changes starch chain length and associated viscosity through oxidation of susceptible structures.
Potassium Persulfate provides a processing reagent for preparing modified starch with properties appropriate to the intended industrial application.
Potassium Persulfate use in starch processing does not establish food suitability, which requires separate confirmation of the process, finished material, and applicable regulatory requirements.
Potassium Persulfate serves as an oxidizing reagent in selected organic synthesis reactions.
Potassium Persulfate participates in established transformations such as the Elbs oxidation of phenols and the Boyland–Sims oxidation of anilines.
Potassium Persulfate offers oxidative reactivity that can introduce useful functionality into suitable aromatic substrates.
Potassium Persulfate reaction selectivity depends on substrate structure and the chemical environment, so its behavior cannot be generalized across all organic compounds.
Potassium Persulfate serves as a digestion reagent in established analytical methods for total nitrogen determination in water.
Potassium Persulfate supports conversion of nitrogen-containing constituents into a form measured by the specified analytical method.
Potassium Persulfate also generates the ABTS radical cation used in selected antioxidant-capacity assays.
Potassium Persulfate analytical grades should be selected with attention to reagent blanks and relevant impurities, particularly nitrogen contamination in total nitrogen measurements.
DESCRIPTION
Potassium Persulfate belongs to the inorganic peroxydisulfate family and contains two potassium cations for each S₂O₈²⁻ anion.
Potassium Persulfate contains two sulfur–oxygen groups connected through an oxygen–oxygen bond.
Potassium Persulfate has a molecular weight of approximately 270.32 g/mol for the anhydrous salt.
Potassium Persulfate is chemically distinct from potassium sulfate, potassium pyrosulfate, and potassium peroxymonosulfate, including commercial peroxymonosulfate triple-salt formulations.
Potassium Persulfate normally appears as an odorless white crystalline solid or crystalline powder.
Potassium Persulfate has a representative solid density of approximately 2.48 g/cm³.
Potassium Persulfate dissolves moderately in water, with reported solubility around 52–53 g/L at 20°C.
Potassium Persulfate presents an airborne exposure concern mainly through dispersed dust rather than evaporation at ordinary room temperature.
Potassium Persulfate acts as an oxidant and can generate sulfate radicals when its peroxide linkage undergoes suitable activation.
Potassium Persulfate decomposition and reaction rates depend on temperature, solution composition, and contact with catalytic or reducing substances.
Potassium Persulfate can react dangerously with combustible materials, reducing agents, and incompatible contamination.
Potassium Persulfate is noncombustible but can accelerate combustion and increase fire severity in surrounding materials.
Potassium Persulfate retains useful stability when stored cool and dry in suitable closed packaging.
Potassium Persulfate can undergo accelerated decomposition following overheating, moisture exposure, or contamination.
Potassium Persulfate commercial grades differ in assay, trace metals, particle characteristics, and impurity limits.
Potassium Persulfate technical, analytical, high-purity, and cosmetic-use specifications should therefore be assessed separately for the intended application.
Potassium Persulfate is classified as an oxidizing solid and is harmful if swallowed.
Potassium Persulfate can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract and can cause allergic skin reactions.
Potassium Persulfate respiratory sensitization may produce asthma-like symptoms, including reactions that develop several hours after exposure.
Potassium Persulfate workplace labeling must follow the current regional SDS, with particular attention to preventing further exposure in sensitized individuals.
PROPERTIES
Product Name: Potassium Persulfate
Common Name: Potassium persulfate
Systematic Name: Peroxydisulfuric acid, dipotassium salt
Alternative Name: Potassium peroxydisulfate
Common Abbreviation: KPS
Chemical Family: Inorganic peroxydisulfates
Functional Class: Oxidizing agent; radical polymerization initiator
CAS Number: 7727-21-1
EC Number: 231-781-8
European Index Number: 016-061-00-1
PubChem CID: 24412
UNII: 6B86K0MCZC
RTECS Number: SE0400000
MDL Number: MFCD00011386
InChIKey: USHAGKDGDHPEEY-UHFFFAOYSA-L
Molecular Formula: K₂S₂O₈
Molecular Weight: 270.32 g/mol
SMILES: [K+].[K+].[O-]S(=O)(=O)OOS(=O)(=O)[O-]
Physical State: Solid
Appearance: White crystals or crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
Purity: Grade and manufacturer dependent
Representative Density: Approximately 2.48 g/cm³
Representative Water Solubility: Approximately 52–53 g/L at 20°C
Melting Behavior: Decomposes on heating; values reported as melting points should not be interpreted as uncomplicated melting
Decomposition Behavior: Temperature and rate depend on test conditions, moisture, contamination, and whether the material is solid or dissolved
Boiling Point: Not applicable; decomposes on heating
Flash Point: Not applicable
Flammability: Noncombustible; promotes combustion as an oxidizer
Primary Industrial Function: Radical generation and oxidation
Major Applications: Polymerization initiation, hair-lightening formulations, electronics processing, gel breaking, starch modification, environmental treatment, and analytical chemistry
Shelf Life: Grade, purity, packaging, storage conditions, and manufacturer dependent
Representative GHS Classification: Oxidizing Solid Category 3; Acute Toxicity—Oral Category 4; Skin Irritation Category 2; Eye Irritation Category 2; Skin Sensitization Category 1; Respiratory Sensitization Category 1; Specific Target Organ Toxicity—Single Exposure Category 3
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: H272, H302, H315, H317, H319, H334, H335
Principal Health Concerns: Irritation, harmful ingestion, skin sensitization, and respiratory sensitization
ACGIH TLV: 0.1 mg/m³ as an eight-hour TWA, as reported in supplier safety documentation; verify the current applicable exposure standard
Environmental Precaution: Prevent uncontrolled release; oxidizing solutions can harm aquatic organisms
Incompatible Materials: Combustible substances, reducing agents, strong bases, and other contaminants identified in the supplier SDS
Thermal-Decomposition Products: Oxygen and sulfur oxide fumes; additional products depend on conditions
UN Number: UN 1492
UN Proper Shipping Name: Potassium persulfate / Potassium persulphate
Transport Class: 5.1
Packing Group: III
Storage Conditions: Cool, dry, well-ventilated oxidizer storage
Storage Protection: Heat, moisture, and contamination
Regulatory Suitability: Exact grade, intended application, formulation, and jurisdiction dependent
FIRST AID
Inhalation:
Move the person to fresh air and keep them at rest.
Obtain prompt medical attention after significant dust exposure.
Wheezing, chest tightness, or breathing difficulty requires urgent assessment, and symptoms may be delayed.
Skin Contact:
Rinse affected skin with plenty of water and remove contaminated clothing.
Wash thoroughly and seek medical attention if irritation or an allergic reaction occurs.
Rinse contaminated clothing because retained oxidizer can create a fire hazard.
Eye Contact:
Immediately rinse with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes.
Remove contact lenses if easily possible.
Obtain medical attention if pain, redness, or visual disturbance persists.
Ingestion:
Rinse the mouth and obtain prompt medical advice.
Do not induce vomiting or give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Note to Physicians:
Treat symptomatically, considering respiratory sensitization and delayed asthma-like reactions.
Medical observation may be appropriate following significant inhalation exposure.
HANDLING AND STORAGE
Handling:
Prevent dust dispersion and unnecessary contact with skin and eyes.
Use dedicated, clean, dry transfer equipment and prevent cross-contamination.
Do not grind or dry-mix in equipment that generates frictional heat.
Engineering Controls:
Use enclosed transfer or local exhaust where dust can be generated.
Provide accessible eyewash and washing facilities.
Personal Protection:
Wear suitable chemical-resistant gloves, protective clothing, and safety goggles.
Add a face shield where splashing is possible.
Respiratory Protection:
Use suitable particulate respiratory protection when engineering controls cannot adequately control dust exposure.
Select protection through the workplace respiratory protection program.
Fire Control:
Keep away from ignition sources and combustible materials.
Avoid contamination of clothing, paper, wood, oils, and organic residues.
Storage:
Store in tightly closed, compatible packaging in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area designated for oxidizers.
Protect from moisture and heat and follow the grade-specific temperature limits.
Material Compatibility:
Segregate from reducing agents, strong bases, combustible materials, and other incompatible chemicals.
Verify equipment compatibility for the actual operating conditions.
Spill Procedures:
Restrict access and avoid generating dust.
Trained personnel should collect spilled material using compatible equipment.
Do not use sawdust or combustible absorbents, and do not return contaminated material to the original container.
Environmental Precautions:
Prevent release to drains, soil, groundwater, and surface water.
Contain contaminated cleanup water.
Fire Response:
Use extinguishing media appropriate to the surrounding fire.
Cool exposed containers with water spray where safe.
Firefighters should wear protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus because decomposition can release irritating or toxic fumes.
Waste Disposal:
Keep oxidizer waste separate from incompatible waste.
Dispose of residues and contaminated packaging through an authorized service according to applicable regulations.
