Group 1

EXPERIMENT NO. 11
POTASSIUM IODIDE

OBJECTIVE:
At the end of the experiment, student should know how to:
1. Define deflagration and differentiate it with decrepitation
2. Prepare Potassium iodide and perform tests for its identity
3. Identify the pharmaceutical significance of Potassium iodide.

MATERIALS:
Laboratory set of apparatus
Metallic crucible

REAGENTS:
5% Potassium hydroxide solution Chloroform Silver nitrate T.S.
Iodine crystals Potassium permanganate solution of any
Starch T.S concentration
Conc. Hydrochloric acid

PRECAUTION: Deflagration may result to forceful displacement of the crucible's cover. Keep yourself
away from the set up while waiting for the process to take place as much as possible.

PROCEDURE:
1. To 50 ml of a 5% KOH solution, add about 5 grams of iodine until the solution is colored
brown. The iodine must be added a little at a time in order to avoid any great excess.
2. Evaporate the solution to dryness and powder the residue.
3. Mix about 2.5 grams of powdered charcoal with the residue and heat in an iron crucible until
slight deflagration takes place.
4. Dissolve the Potassium iodide in 12.5 ml boiling water.
5. Filter and allow to crystallize.
6. Granulate the salt and weigh.
7. Pack in a clean container.

Chemical Formula: KI
Chemical reaction involved:

Computation of the Percentage yield:

Actual yield:
Theoretical yield:

Percentage yield:

IDENTIFICATION TESTS:
1. Add a pinch of the salt in water and stir.
Result: ________________________________________

2. To the above solution, add Silver nitrate T.S.

Result: ________________________________________

3. To another solution of the salt add Hydrochloric acid or Sulfuric acid.

Result: ________________________________________

QUESTIONS FOR RESEARCH:

1. Write the reaction involved when iodine crystals are dissolved in Potassium iodide solution.
What is the significance of this in Pharmacy?
 KI + I2 —> KI3
 Aqueous solutions of potassium iodide take up iodine forming KI3, in equilibrium
with dissolved iodine: KI3 ⇄ KI + I2 (in solution).

 Often used as an antiseptic and disinfectant, for emergency disinfection of

drinking water, and as a reagent for starch detection in routine laboratory and
medical tests. These uses are possible since the solution is a source of effectively
free elemental iodine, which is readily generated from the equilibration between
elemental iodine molecules and triiodide ion in the solution.
 Lugol's solution was used as an emergency source of iodide to block radioactive
iodine uptake, simply because it was widely available as a drinking water
decontaminant, and pure potassium iodide without iodine (the preferred agent)
was not available.
 As a mordant when performing a Gram Stain. It is applied for 1 minute after
staining with crystal violet, but before ethanol to ensure that gram positive
organisms' peptidoglycan remains stained, easily identifying it as a gram
positive in microscopy.
 This solution is used as an indicator test for the presence of starches in organic
compounds, with which it reacts by turning a dark-blue/black. Elemental iodine
solutions like Lugol's will stain starches due to iodine's interaction with the coil
structure of the polysaccharide. Starches include the plant starches amylose and
 amylopectin and glycogen in animal cells. Lugol's solution will not detect simple
sugars such as glucose or fructose.
 It can be used as a cell stain, making the cell nuclei more visible and for
preserving phytoplankton samples. During colposcopy, Lugol's iodine is applied
to the vagina and cervix. Normal vaginal tissue stains brown due to its high
glycogen content, while tissue suspicious for cancer does not stain, and thus
appears pale compared to the surrounding tissue. Biopsy of suspicious tissue can
then be performed. This is called a Schiller's Test.
 Lugol's solution can also be used in various experiments to observe how a cell
membrane uses osmosis and diffusion.

2. State and define the uses of Potassium iodide in Pharmacy.

 Additive - used to “iodize" table salt (a public health measure to prevent iodine
deficiency in populations that get little seafood).
 It is added to certain salts so that the iodine content is not lost during oxidation process.
Apart from that there are other chemicals such as sodium thiosulfate and Dextrose
added to stabilize KI and reduce the volatility of material.
 Potassium Iodide is also used along with the anti-thyroid medicines as it helps in
preparing the thyroid gland for surgical removal and treatment of various thyroid
problems.
Other uses:
Used to loosen and break up mucus in the airways. This helps you cough up the mucus so you
can breathe more easily if you have long-term lung problems (e.g., asthma, chronic bronchitis,
emphysema). This medication is known as an expectorant. Potassium iodide is also used along with
antithyroid medicines to prepare the thyroid gland for surgical removal, to treat certain overactive
thyroid conditions (hyperthyroidism), and to protect the thyroid in a radiation exposure emergency.

3. Give the composition of Potassium iodide solution.

 The solution contains in each 100 cc., not less than 97 Gm. and not more than 103 Gm. of
KI. When prepared in pharmacy the correct proportions are 8 drachms (30 Gm.) of
potassium iodide and water sufficient to make 1 fluidounce.

4. What is the rationale behind the addition of Sodium thiosulfate in Potassium iodide solution?
 When prepared in pharmacy the correct proportions are 30 Gm. of potassium iodide
and water sufficient to make 1 fluid ounce. Since the dose is small and the solution may
be used over a period of time the USP allows the addition of 0.5 Gm. of sodium
thiosulfate (per 1000 cc.) which will reduce any liberated free iodine to sodium iodide.
5. What is Lugol's solution? Give the use and dose of this preparation.
 Lugol’s solution is a medication that contains iodine and potassium iodide. It is used
along with antithyroid medicines to prepare the thyroid gland for surgical removal and
to treat certain overactive thyroid conditions (hyperthyroidism, thyroid storm).

 Strong Iodine Solution, USP XVIII

5 grams I + 10 grams KI
Uses: source of iodine/ iodine replenisher, anti-hyperthyroid agent
Dose: 0.1 - 3 mL daily

6. List common drugs containing Potassium iodide. Indicate the use and brand name.

Generic Name Brand Name Dosage Use (Medical)

Form(s)
Chlorpheniramine/ Pediacof, Tablets, For treatment of asthma,
codeine/ Pedituss, Demi- Capsules, bronchitis and other lung
phenylephrine/potassiu Cof Solution, diseases
m iodide Elixir
potassium Elixophyllin KI Tablet Used in the treatment of
iodide/theophylline asthma.
Ephedrine, Quadrinal Injection, For treatment of asthma.
phenobarbital, potassium syrup, tablet
iodide, theophylline
Potassium triiodide (KI3) Lugol’s Solution Solution For minor cuts and burns.
or iodine+potassium Used in the treatment of
Hyperthyroidism.

Potassium Iodide Pima Syrup Tablet, Oral For treating lung conditions or
Solution disease in which mucus
complicates the condition
(Cystic Fibrosis).

Potassium Iodide Radiban Tablet Treatment of thyroid Problems

Used for treatment of Heart

Potassium Iodide Theraplex Tab Tablet Problems, Skin diseases,
Diarrhea, Arthritis

Used as an expectorant to thin

mucus and loosen congestion in
Potassium Iodide Thyroblock Tab Tablet your chest and throat.

Thyroblock is used in people

 with chronic breathing
problems that can be
complicated by thick mucus in
the respiratory tract, such as
asthma, chronic bronchitis, or
emphysema.

Potassium Iodide Iosat Tablet For treatment of asthma,

Chronic Bronchitis, and
Emphysema
Potassium Iodide Iodine Tab Tablet For treatment of thyroid
problems.

References:
 Iodine and Potassium Iodide (Strong Iodine) (Oral Route). (2021). Retrieved from
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/iodine-and-potassium-iodide-strong-
iodine-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20062037
 Lugol’s. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-20753/lugols-
oral/details
 Potassium Iodide. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB06715.
 Pima Syrup, SSKI (potassium iodide) dosing, indications, interactions, adverse effects,
and more. (2019, September 28). Retrieved from
https://reference.medscape.com/drug/pima-syrup-sski-potassium-iodide-343399.

 Potassium Iodide. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.drugs.com/ingredient/potassium-

iodide.html
 Waszkowiak, Katarzyna; Szymandera-Buszka, Krystyna (2008). "Effect of storage conditions
on potassium iodide stability in iodised table salt and collagen preparations". International
Journal of Food Science & Technology
 https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-1823/potassium-iodide-oral/details