K2HBO3

K2HBO3 is an inorganic potassium borate salt with the formula K2HBO3. It is typically described as a potassium salt of boric acid in which a borate unit retains an associated hydrogen. In the solid state it forms as a white crystalline material and, like many borate salts, can exist in various hydrated forms. In water, K2HBO3 dissociates to give potassium ions and borate-related species, producing a solution that is moderately basic due to the borate moiety.

The compound is not commonly encountered as a routine reagent, but it can be prepared by standard inorganic synthesis methods that involve reacting boric acid with a potassium-containing base, such as potassium hydroxide or potassium carbonate, followed by crystallization from water to obtain the salt (often as hydrates). Because borate salts can adopt different hydration states, K2HBO3 often occurs in hydrated forms whose exactly how many water molecules are incorporated depends on temperature and humidity.

K2HBO3 is related to other borate systems such as potassium hydrogen borate (KH2BO3) and potassium metaborate (KBO2), and it may be used in research contexts as a source of boron and potassium for inorganic synthesis or as a component in borate buffering systems. Safety considerations for borates generally apply: they are typically of low acute toxicity but should be handled with standard laboratory precautions, including using appropriate personal protective equipment and proper storage.

Because properties such as hydration state, solubility, and thermal stability can vary with preparation method, consulting a reliable chemical database or handbook is recommended for specific samples.