E261 (Potassium acetate) is a chemical compound, an organic salt.

It appears as a white powder, soluble in methanol and ethanol, slightly soluble in methyl acetate and ethyl acetate, weakly corrosive, biodegradable.

What it is used for and where

Medical

Used in the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (1), also has an antibacterial function (2), in intravenous therapy in the management of hypokalaemia (3).

Food

It is labelled with the number E261 in the list of food additives and is added to food for preservation.

Cosmetics

Film-forming agent. It produces a continuous ultra-thin film with an optimal balance of cohesion, adhesion and stickiness on the skin or hair to counteract or limit damage from external phenomena such as chemicals, UV rays and pollution.

Other uses

• coke inhibitor to reduce coking during light cracking of naphtha
• useful for intercalating kaolinite and determining changes in the hydroxyl surface of kaolinite
• an antifreeze alternative
• a very effective salting agent
•  useful in the production of penicillin

"Potassium acetate studies"

Molecular Formula :    C₂H₃O₂K   C₂H₃KO₂

Molecular Weight:    98.142 g/mol

CAS:    127-08-2

EC Number:   204-822-2

UNIII:    M911911U02

FEMA Number:    2920

PubChem Substance ID:24898171

MDL number:    MFCD00012458

Beilstein Registry Number:    3595449

Synonyms: 

• Acetate, Potassium
• Acetic acid potassium salt
• Diuretic salt
• Potassium ethanoate

References______________________________________________________________________

(1) Guise R, Ausherman K, Vazifedan T. Potassium-Containing Fluids for Diabetic Ketoacidosis. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther. 2021;26(6):592-596. doi: 10.5863/1551-6776-26.6.592. Epub 2021 Aug 16. 

(2) Electro-activation of potassium acetate, potassium citrate and calcium lactate: impact on solution acidity, Redox potential, vibrational properties of Raman spectra and antibacterial activity on E. coli O157:H7 at ambient temperature.  Liato V, Labrie S, Aïder M.   -   Springerplus. 2016 Oct

(3) Glover P. Hypokalaemia. Crit Care Resusc. 1999 Sep;1(3):239-51.