CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
| Physical Description | Potassium metabisulfite appears as a white granular or powdery solid with a sharp odor of sulfur dioxide. Decomposes at 150 to 190 °C. Density 2.3 g / cm3. Contact severely irritates skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Low toxicity. Used as a food preservative and an antioxidant. |
|---|---|
| Color/Form | White crystals or crystalline powder |
| Odor | Sulfur dioxide odor |
| Melting Point | Decomposes at approximately 150 °C |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water; insoluble in alcohol |
| Density | 2.3 g/cu cm |
| Stability/Shelf Life | When stored at a maximum temperature of 25 °C and a maximum relative humidity of 45%, the shelf life is 6 months. |
| Decomposition | Potassium metabisulfite decomposes at temperatures above 150 °C. In the air, it oxidizes to the sulfate, more readily in the presents of moisture. |
| Other Experimental Properties | Liberates SO2 with acids; oxidizes in air to sulfate, more readily in presence of moisture |
| Chemical Classes | Other Classes -> Sulfites |
SAFETY INFORMATION
| Signal word | Danger |
|---|---|
| Pictogram(s) |
![]() Corrosion Corrosives GHS05 ![]() Exclamation Mark Irritant GHS07 |
| GHS Hazard Statements |
H318:Serious eye damage/eye irritation H335:Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure;Respiratory tract irritation |
| Precautionary Statement Codes |
P261:Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray. P271:Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. P280:Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. P305+P351+P338:IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continuerinsing. P403+P233:Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed. |
COMPUTED DESCRIPTORS
| Molecular Weight | 222.33 g/mol |
|---|---|
| Hydrogen Bond Donor Count | 0 |
| Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count | 6 |
| Rotatable Bond Count | 0 |
| Exact Mass | 221.8461284 g/mol |
| Monoisotopic Mass | 221.8461284 g/mol |
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 125 Ų |
| Heavy Atom Count | 9 |
| Formal Charge | 0 |
| Complexity | 136 |
| Isotope Atom Count | 0 |
| Defined Atom Stereocenter Count | 0 |
| Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count | 0 |
| Defined Bond Stereocenter Count | 0 |
| Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count | 0 |
| Covalently-Bonded Unit Count | 3 |
| Compound Is Canonicalized | Yes |
PRODUCT INTRODUCTION
description
Potassium metabisulfite appears as a white granular or powdery solid with a sharp odor of sulfur dioxide. Decomposes at 150 to 190 °C. Density 2.3 g / cm3. Contact severely irritates skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Low toxicity. Used as a food preservative and an antioxidant.
RELATED SUPPLIERS
All suppliers(12)


