Potassium Bromate
- Potassium Bromate Identification
- How to Make It
- Properties and Characteristics of Potassium Bromate
- Prominent Reactions
- Potassium Bromate Uses
- Is It Dangerous
- Potassium Bromate (KBrO3) Price
Potassium bromate represented by the chemical formula KBrO3 or BrKO3 [1] is a white crystalline powder that is soluble in water. It is a potassium and bromate salt and an ionic compound [2, 3]. It is a Lewis acid/base generic complex and a strong oxidizing agent [7].

Potassium Bromate
Potassium Bromate Identification |
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CAS Number | 7758-01-2 [1] |
PubChem CID | 23673461 [1] |
ChemSpider ID | 22852 [4] |
EC Number | 231-829-8 [1] |
How to Make It
Potassium bromate can be prepared by passing bromine through a hot solution of potassium hydroxide. The products also include potassium bromide and water [8].
3Br2 6KOH = KBrO3 5KBr 3H2O

Potassium Bromate Foods
Properties and Characteristics of Potassium Bromate
General Properties |
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Molar mass/molecular weight | 166.999 g/mol [1] | |
Physical Properties |
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Color/appearance | White crystals or granules [3] | |
Melting point/freezing point | 350°C, 662°F [3] | |
Boiling point | 370°C, 698°F [3] | |
Density | 3.27 g cm-3 [5] | |
State of matter at room temperature (normal phase) | Solid [3] | |
Chemical Properties |
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Solubility in water | 70 g/l (at 20oC) [5] | |
pH | 5 – 9 (25°C, 5%) [6] | |
Atomic Properties |
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Crystal structure | Trigonal bipyramidal [3] |

Potassium Bromate Structure
Prominent Reactions
Heating the compound to a temperature above 434°C causes it to thermally decompose into potassium bromide and oxygen [11].
2KBrO3 = 2KBr 3O2

Potassium Bromate Chemical Formula
Potassium Bromate Uses
- As a flour and bread improver in baking. It strengthens the dough and allows higher rising [9].
- In producing malt barley [9].
- In analytical chemistry [5].
- Being an effective brominating agent, KBrO3 in sulfuric acid is used to brominate benzene [10].
Is It Dangerous
KBrO3 is carcinogenic (causing DNA damage), neurotoxic and nephrotoxic if ingested. The compound can lead to hyperuricemia and follicular cell tumors of the thyroid. The harmful effects have led to many countries banning its use as a food additive. Inhalation and contact with eyes and skin should be avoided since it can cause severe irritation and damage. It may cause a fire hazard when brought in contact with organic material [5].
Potassium Bromate (KBrO3) Price
5 gram of the compound costs around $29.7 [5].
References:
- Potassium Bromate – Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Potassium Bromate – Acs.org
- Potassium Bromate – Fearschemistry.wikidot.com
- Potassium Bromate – Chemspider.com
- Potassium Bromate – Chemicalbook.com
- Potassium Bromate – Sigmaaldrich.com
- KBrO3 Potassium Bromate – Chemthes.com
- Preparation of potassium bromate – Prepchem.com
- Potassium Bromate (T3D1716) – T3db.ca
- Potassium Bromate – Reag.paperplane.io
- The thermal decomposition of potassium bromate – Chemiday.com