Names

IUPAC name

Potassium hydrogen sulfite

Other names

Potassium bisulfite, potassium bisulphite solution, sulfurous acid, monopotassium salt, monopotassium sulfite

Identifiers

CAS Number  7773-03-7

3D model (JSmol)  Interactive image

ChemSpider  22889

ECHA InfoCard 100.028.973

EC Number 231-870-1

E number E228 (preservatives)

PubChem CID  23663620

UNII  QJK5LO891P

InChI[show]

SMILES[show]

Properties

Chemical formula KHSO3

Molar mass 120.1561 g/mol

Appearance White crystalline powder

Odor SO2

Melting point 190 °C (374 °F; 463 K)

(decomposes)

Solubility in water 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).
 Potassium metabisulfite

Names

Other names

Potassium pyrosulfite

Dipotassium disulfite

Potassium metabisulphite

Dipotassium disulphite

Identifiers

CAS Number 16731-55-8

3D model  Interactive image

(JSmol)

ChemSpider  26061

ECHA InfoCard 100.037.072

E number E224 (preservatives)

PubChem CID
 28019

RTECS number TT4920000

UNII  65OE787Q7W

InChI[show]
SMILES[show]

Properties

Chemical K2O5S2
formula

Molar mass 222.31 g·mol−1

Appearance White crystalline powder

Odor Pungent (sulfur dioxide)

Density 2.34 g/cm3 (solid)

Melting point 190 °C (374 °F; 463 K) decomposes

Solubility in 450 g/l (20 °C)

water

Solubility Insoluble in ethanol

Hazards

Main hazards Irritant, asthma risk

Safety data ICSC 1175

sheet

GHS

pictograms

GHS signal Danger

word

GHS hazard H315, H318, H335

statements

GHS P261, P264, P271, P280, P302+352, P304+340, P305+351+338, P310, P312, P321, P332+313, P362, P403+233,
precautionary
statements

NFPA 704

0
1
0
Related compounds
Other anions Potassium bisulfite

Potassium sulfite

Other cations Sodium metabisulfite

Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

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Infobox references

Potassium metabisulfite, K2S2O5, also known as potassium pyrosulfite, is a

white crystalline powder with a pungent sulfur odour. The main use for the chemical is as
an antioxidant or chemical sterilant. It is a disulfite and is chemically very similar to sodium
metabisulfite, with which it is sometimes used interchangeably. Potassium metabisulfite is
generally preferred out of the two as it does not contribute sodium to the diet.
Potassium metabisulfite has a monoclinic crystal structure which decomposes at 190 °C,
yielding potassium sulfite and sulfur dioxide:
K2S2O5(s) → K2SO3(s) + SO2(g)

Contents

 1Uses
o 1.1Wine
o 1.2Beer
o 1.3Other uses
 2Safety
 3See also
 4References

Uses[edit]
It is used as a food additive, also known as E224.[1] It is restricted in use and may cause
allergic reactions in some sensitive persons.[2]
Potassium metabisulfite is an inhibitor of the polyphenol oxidase enzyme.[3]

Wine[edit]
Potassium metabisulfite is a common wine or must additive, in which it forms sulfur dioxide
gas (SO2). This both prevents most wild microorganisms from growing, and it acts as a
potent antioxidant, protecting both the color and delicate flavors of wine.
The typical dosage is 1/4 tsp (1.23 milliliters) potassium metabisulfite per six-gallon bucket of
must (yielding roughly 75 ppm of SO2) prior to fermentation; then 1/2 tsp per six-gallon
bucket (150 ppm of SO2) at bottling. Most commercial wineries do not add more than 30ppm
at bottling.
Winemaking equipment is sanitized by spraying with a 1% SO2 (2 tsp potassium
metabisulfite per L) solution.

Beer[edit]
Potassium metabisulfite is sometimes used in the brewing industry to inhibit the growth of
wild bacteria and fungi. This is called 'stabilizing'. It is also used to neutralize chloramine that
has been added to tap water at the source as a disinfectant. It is used both
by homebrewers and commercial brewers alike. It is not used as much for brewing beer,
because the wort is almost always boiled, which kills most microorganisms. It can also be
added to strike water (the water used to mash the malted barley) in order to remove
chloramines which can cause phenolic off flavors in beer.

Other uses[edit]
 Potassium metabisulfite is sometimes added to lemon juice as a preservative.
 Potassium metabisulfite is used in the textile industry for dyeing and cotton printing.
 Potassium metabisulfite is sometimes used to precipitate gold from solution in aqua
regia (as an alternative to sodium sulfite).
 It is a component of certain photographic developers and solutions used in photographic
fixing.[4]
 It is used as a bleaching agent in the production of Coconut cream.
 It is used in some pickles as a preservative.
 It is used in tint etching iron-based metal samples for microstructural analysis. [5]

Safety[edit]
Potassium metabisulfite causes skin irritation, serious eye irritation, and may cause
respiratory irritation.[6] Hence, it should be manipulated under individual protective elements,
such as gloves, coat, mask and glasses. Also, it should be manipulated under alkaline
conditions as potassium metabisulfite reacts with acids, liberating toxic gases.