Potassium Tellurite is an inorganic compound consisting of potassium and tellurium ions in a 2:1 ratio. It appears as a white hygroscopic granular powder, which means it absorbs moisture from the air.
CAS No.: 7790-58-1
Synonyms:
Potassium tellurate(IV); Dipotassium tellurite; Dipotassium trioxotellurate; Potassium tellurium (IV) oxide; Potassium tellurium trioxide.
| Physical Properties | |
| Chemical formula | K2O3Te |
| IUPAC Name | dipotassium;tellurite |
| Molecular weight | 253.8 g/mol |
| Solubility | Water |
| Chemical Properties | |
| Color | White to Off-white |
| State | Solid Powder, Crystals |
| Melting point | 450 °C |
| pH | 8.0 – 10 |
| Pictograms : |  |
| Hazard Statements : | H301: Toxic if swallowed. |
| Precautionary statements : | P261: Avoid breathing dust. P264: Wash skin thoroughly after handling. P271: Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. P301 + P310: IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER/ doctor. P302 + P352: IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water. P305 + P351 + P338: IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present, and easy to do. Continue rinsing. |
Potassium Tellurite is an inorganic compound consisting of potassium and tellurium ions in a 2:1 ratio. It appears as a white hygroscopic granular powder, which means it absorbs moisture from the air.
CAS No.: 7790-58-1
Synonyms:
Potassium tellurate(IV); Dipotassium tellurite; Dipotassium trioxotellurate; Potassium tellurium (IV) oxide; Potassium tellurium trioxide.
| Physical Properties | |
| Chemical formula | K2O3Te |
| IUPAC Name | dipotassium;tellurite |
| Molecular weight | 253.8 g/mol |
| Solubility | Water |
| Chemical Properties | |
| Color | White to Off-white |
| State | Solid Powder, Crystals |
| Melting point | 450 °C |
| pH | 8.0 – 10 |
| Pictograms : | |
| Hazard Statements : | H301: Toxic if swallowed. |
| Precautionary statements : | P261: Avoid breathing dust. P264: Wash skin thoroughly after handling. P271: Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. P301 + P310: IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER/ doctor. P302 + P352: IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water. P305 + P351 + P338: IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present, and easy to do. Continue rinsing. |
Potassium tellurite (K2TeO3) is an inorganic compound consisting of potassium and tellurite ions. appears as a white, granular, hygroscopic powder used in chemical and microbiological applications.
Potassium tellurite is often used as a selective growth medium in microbiology to isolate and distinguish specific bacteria, especially in identifying Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It is also used in various chemical and analytical applications.
Potassium tellurite agar selectively isolates Staphylococcus aureus, The principle behind the medium is that potassium tellurite inhibits the growth of most bacteria except Staphylococcus aureus. This reduces potassium tellurite to form a black or dark brown precipitate, indicating its presence.
Potassium tellurite agar is used to isolate and differentiate Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the bacterium causing diphtheria. C. diphtheriae reduces tellurite to form black colonies, distinguishing it from other bacteria.
Potassium tellurite is both selective and differential. It inhibits the growth of many bacteria, making it selective, and it allows differentiation by producing black colonies in organisms like Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
