SINTESIS KALIUM NITRAT

24 March 2014
A. Objective
1. Studying the manufacture of potassium nitrate salts of a reaction between sodium
nitrate with potassium chloride
2. Studying the salt separation of byproduct sodium chloride based on the solubility
difference
B. Theoretical Basis
Potassium Nitrate is a compound of potassium nitrate salts with molecular
formula KNO3 . Potassium nitrate salts can be prepared by reacting potassium chloride
( KCl ) were found in the mineral sylvite , with sodium nitrate NaNO3 . If a saturated
solution of each of these reactions are mixed with each other , it will form sodium
chloride , NaCl and KNO3 as a solvent solution of NaCl in water is very small , then the
salt will undergo precipitation , and through filtering KNO3 solution can be separated from
NaCl . By cooling the filtrate slowly , then KNO3 will undergo crystallization process ,
and to meet the needs generated KNO3 crystallization. (Jurisova, 2013)
Potassium itself is a soft silver -white metal . The metal melts at 63.5 C .
Potassium remained unchanged in dry air , but quickly oxidized in moist air , it becomes
covered with a layer of blue . Metals that decompose water with powerful , releasing
hydrogen and burned with violet flame .
2K+(aq) + 2H2O (l)
2K+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) + H2(aq)
Potassium is usually stored in the solvent naphtha . Potassium salts containing
monovalent cations K+ . These salts are usually soluble and form a colorless solution ,
except when colored anion . All nitrate dissolves in water . Of mercury and bismuth nitrate
yield after treatment with alkaline salt water , salt is soluble in dilute nitric acid .
(G.Svehla, 1990)
Potassium nitrate is a chemical compound that is a natural source of nitrogen.
These compounds are classified as nitrate compound with chemical formula KNO3. The
name generally includes saltpeter (saltpeter). Potassium nitrate is a component of black
powder oxidized (supplied oxygen). Before large-scale nitrogen fixation industry (Haber
process). The main source of potassium nitrate is a deposit which crystallized from cave
walls or drain decaying organic material. Piles of dirt are also the main source of general,
decomposition of ammonia from urea and other nitrogen substances going through
bacterial oxidation to produce nitrates.
Chilean nitrate salts contained mainly in the form of sodium nitrate. Sodium
nitrate is hygroscopic. Therefore, for a variety of purposes cheaper sodium nitrate was
converted into potassium salt. Potassium nitrate can also be made of potassium chloride
contained in the mineral sylvite with sodium nitrate. If a saturated solution of each reaction
was mixed, the less soluble NaCl will settle. Equation:
KCl(aq) + NaNO3(aq)
NaCl(s) + KNO3(aq)
If the solution is cooled , then the solution will precipitate . Endpan can be separated and
then purified by recrystallization . The common name for KNO3 was belching , whereas
for NaNO3 called Chile saltpeter . Potassium nitrate crystallizes in rhombic prism shape ,
but if the solution was evaporated slowly on the watch glass will crystallize in the form
rombohedial isomof with sodium nitrate and calcite . KNO3 melts at 336oC and at high
temperatures to produce oxygen, as in the equation :

2KNO3(aq) 2KNO2(aq) + O2(g)

(Wikipedia, 2015)
Nitrate salts of almost all metals are known . In nature , nitrate salts are often
found in Chile , especially in the form of sodium nitrate . Maybe because it's a common
name sodium nitrate is a Chilean saltpeter , while the term used for the common name
saltpeter potassium nitrate salt . Most of the nitrate salts are hygroscopic and readily
soluble in water . Some nitrate salts can be obtained in the form of anhydrous and do not
decompose on heating is high enough .
In the industrial scale , potassium chloride is taken from the mineral sylvite .
Potassium nitrate salt is used for the manufacture of gunpowder and a small portion is used
in meat processing . Both of the above reaction products can be separated by a much
different solubility properties of these two salts in certain temperature conditions . The
solubility of the salt on the effect of temperature is presented in Figure 1 .

(Tim Dosen Kimia Anorganik, 2015)

Crystal or crystalline solid that is an atom, molecule, or ion constituent packed
regular and repetitive pattern extends in three dimensions. In general, a liquid form crystals
when subjected to the compaction process. In ideal conditions, the result can be a single
crystal , which all atoms in solids " attached " to the grid or the same crystal structure , but
in general , most of the crystals are formed simultaneously resulting polycrystalline solids .
For example , most metals which we see everyday are polycrystalline .
Crystal structure which is formed of a liquid depends on the fluid chemistry
itself , when the solidification conditions and ambient pressure . The process of formation
of the crystalline structure known as crystallization . (Anonim, 2013)
C. Material and Equipment
Equipment :
1. Beaker glass100 ml
2. Glass Funnel
3. Beaker glass 200 ml
4. Evaporating dish

Material :
1.
2.
3.
4.

Pottasium chloride
Sodium nitrate
Aquades
Filter paper

D. Methods
Synthesis of Potassium Nitrate Salt

Heat 25 mL
aquades

Separate KNO3
product from NaCl

weigh 3,75 g KCl

and 4,25 g NaNO3

Evaporate in water
heater until 40 mL

Dissolve each in 7,5

mL hot water

Mix the both of solution

Purification of Potassium Nitrate crystal

Dissolve a little crystal

with a little water by
heating it until 2,5 mL

Let the solution become

cold

Weigh the crystal and count

the percentage of product
resulted

Filter the crystal so it free

from ions

E. Observation data
1. Color and structure (s,l,g) KCl : white, solid serbuk
2. Color and structure (s,l,g) NaNO3 : white, solid serbuk
3. Color and structure (s,l,g) KNO3 : white, solid, bentuk jarum
4. Reaction occurred in experiment :
reaction KCl with hot water : KCl(s) + H2O(l)
KCl(aq)
reaction NaNO3 with hot water : NaNO3(s) + H2O(l)
Na+(aq) + NO3-(aq)
reaction KCl with NaNO3 : KCl(aq) + NaNO3(aq)
KNO3(aq) + NaCl(aq)
reaction crystalisation : KNO3(aq)
KNO3(s)
5. Weigh of KNO3 crystal product : 0,6773 grams
6. Color and structure crystal of KNO3 : white, solid, crystal jarum
7. Rendemen Purity of KNO3 :
3,750 6

Mol KCl
74,5
0,0503 mol

Mol NaNO3

4,2514
85

0,0500 mol

KCl(aq)
+ NaNO3(aq)
m 0,0503 mol 0,0500 mol
r 0,0500 mol
0,0500 mol
s 0,0003 mol
-

KNO3(aq)
+
NaCl(s)
0,0500 mol 0,0500 mol
0,0500 mol 0,0500 mol

mol KNO3 = 0,0500 mol

mass of KNO3 theoritical 0,0500 mol x Mr KNO

0,0500 x 101
5,05 gram

Rendemen

mass og KNO3 as a product x 100

mass of KNO 3 theoritical

0,6773 x 100
5,05

13,412

F. Discussion

Mol KCl

3,750
74,5

0,0503383 mol
Mol NaNO3

4,250
85

0,0500611 mol

KCl(aq)
+ NaNO3(aq)
m 0,0503383 mol
0,0500611 mol
r 0,0500611 mol
0,0500611 mol
s 0,0002772 mol
-

KNO3(aq)
+
NaCl(s)
0,0500611 mol 0,0500611 mol
0,0500611 mol 0,0500611 mol

mass of KNO3 theoritical 0,0500611 mol x Mr KNO

0,0500611 x 101

5,0561711 gram
Rendemen

mass og KNO3 as a product x 100

mass of KNO 3 theoritical

4,2901 x 100
5,0561711

84,84

In this practice conducted experiments aimed KNO3 synthesis derive the ways of
making potassium nitrate salt and studying differences in solubility . The principle in this
experiment is based on the difference in solubility . The method used is the crystallization
(ie separation method by means of crystal formation so that the mixture can be separated )
and recrystallization ( ie purification of the resulting sediment ) .
Potassium nitrate salts can be prepared by reacting potassium chloride ( KCl ) with
sodium nitrate ( NaNO3 ) . If a saturated solution of each of these reactions are mixed with
each other , it will form sodium chloride ( NaCl ) and KNO 3 , because the solvent NaCl
solution in water is very small , then the salt will undergo precipitation , and through
filtering KNO3 solution can be separated from NaCl . By cooling the filtrate slowly , then
KNO3 (aq) will undergo a process of crystallization . Once crystallized , it can be obtained
potassium nitrate salt . Potassium nitrate salt can be used for the manufacture of
gunpowder and a small portion is used in meat processing
The first step is done is dissolving KCl and NaNO 3 in the solid state with hot
distilled water . The purpose of the use of KCl and NaNO 3 in the solid state is to accelerate
the reaction , because the reaction rate is proportional to the surface area . While the
purpose of the use of hot distilled water is to speed up the process because the solubility of
a compound soluble in hot distilled water than in cold distilled water . Hot distilled water
solubility is affected by saturation of the solution. Saturated solution is defined as a

solution containing dissolved substances in the quantities necessary for the existence of
equilibrium between the solute dissolved and undissolved .
At the moment dissolved in hot distilled water , solid NaNO 3 faster than the hot
distilled water soluble solids of KCl . This is due to the solubility properties of NaNO 3 is
higher than the solubility of KCl . Colored translucent NaNO 3 solution because everything
is dissolved in hot distilled water with a temperature of 60C and a solution of KCl also
translucent color because everything dissolves in hot distilled water with a temperature of
96C . The researcher also stirring to accelerate the formation of a saturated solution of KCl
and NaNO3.
Reaction that occur:
KCl(s) + H2O(l)
K+(aq) + Cl-(aq) (larut)
NaNO3(s) + H2O(l)
Na+(aq) + NO3-(aq) (larut)
Then the two solutions were mixed in hot conditions with the aim that the solution
does not react with substances in the air that would disturb the reaction . It is also done to
accelerate the reaction so that the movement of ions in solution sooner so that the
possibility of collision increases. Next mix the solution is evaporated in a water bath until
the volume is 10 ml . The purpose of this evaporation process is that the impurity solution
or distilled water can be lost by way of the solution into O 2 and H2 gas to be evaporated .
While the purpose of evaporation to 10 ml volume is that potassium nitrate crystals to be
obtained easily formed .
In mixing the resulting solution of KNO 3 and NaCl solution . Because the solubility
of NaCl in water solvent is very small , then the salt will precipitate NaCl and KNO 3 in
solution . Furthermore, the solution was filtered to separate the KNO 3 solution of NaCl
precipitate . KNO3 filtrate obtained from the filtration was concentrated again by heating to
remove the water molecules are still bound in the solution in order to obtain a more
concentrated solution . Furthermore, the solution was cooled in order to minimize the
solubility . If the solution is cooled , then the solution will precipitate . After cooling it will
form white crystals KNO3 shaped like needles .
Reaction that occur :
KCl(aq) + NaNO3(aq)
KNO3(aq) + NaCl(s) (kristal putih berbentuk jarum)
Further purification by recrystallization of KNO 3 crystals using hot water. Hot
water function so that impurities and the solution may still be present in KNO 3 crystals can
be lost. In order to obtain a pure crystal white KNO 3 shaped like needles. In this
experiment produced KNO3 crystals of 4.2901 grams. This is different from the theoretical
calculations carried out, which should be obtained by 5.0561711 grams of KNO 3 crystals.
From the data obtained, the yield obtained KNO3 crystals as much as 84.84%. This purity
is obtained from the calculation (mass of KNO3 practice: theoretical KNO3 mass) x 100%.
Purifity obtained in this experiment is quite namyak in wet conditions. This happens due to
several factors, namely the presence of molecules of KNO 3 were not yet crystallized
everything because less cooling, lack of time evaporation, so the solution is difficult to
form crystals, and errors are less conscientious practitioner.

G. Conclusion
1. KNO3 crystals can be prepared by reacting potassium chloride ( KCl ) and sodium
nitrate ( NaNO3 )
2. The method used in this experiment is the crystallization and recrystallization
3. KNO3 crystals formed white and shaped like needles
4. In this pecobaan generated by 4.2901 grams of KNO3 crystals
5. Theoretically KNO3 crystals produced by 5.0561711 grams
6. The yield obtained in this experiment is 84.84 %
7. The reaction is
KCl(s) + H2O(l)
K+(aq) + Cl-(aq) (dissolved)
NaNO3(s) + H2O(l)
Na+(aq) + NO3-(aq) (dissolved)
KCl(aq) + NaNO3(aq)
KNO3(aq) + NaCl(s) (crystal like needles)
H. Suggestion
1. The practitioner should be more careful and meticulous during the practicum
2. Practicioner must understand the material before doing the lab
3. Should the tools that will be used sterilized beforehand
4. Practicioner should work closely with members of the group
I. References
Jurisova Jana. 2013. Preparation of Pottasium Nitrate from Potassium chloride and
magnesium nitrate in a Laboratory Scale using Industrial Raw Material. Slovak Republic:
Bratislava.
Anonim. 2013. http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristal. (Diakses pada tanggal 30 Maret 2014
pukul 11:27)
Anonim. 2013. http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalium_nitrat. (Diakses pada tanggal 30 Maret
2014 pukul 11.40)
Svehla, G. 1990. Vogel Buku Teks Analisis Anorganik Kualitatif Makro dan Semimikro.
Bagian 1 dan 2 Edisi kelima. Jakarta: PT. Kalman Media Pustaka.
Tim Dosen Kimia Anorganik. 2015. Petunjuk Praktikum Kimia Anorganik. Semarang:
Unnes.
Semarang, 24 March 2015
Practician

Delta Oktaviana
NIM. 4301413040