Potassium selenate

Potassium selenate,, is an odorless, white solid that forms as the potassium salt of selenic acid.

Preparation
Potassium selenate is produced by the reaction of selenium trioxide and potassium hydroxide.
 * SeO3 + 2 KOH → K2SeO4  +  H2O

Alternatively, it can be made by treating selenous acid with potassium hydroxide, followed by oxidation of the resulting potassium selenite with bromine water.


 * H2SeO3 + 2 KOH  →  K2SeO3  +  2 H2O
 * K2SeO3 + 2 KOH + Br2 →  K2SeO4  +  2 KBr  +  H2O

Uses
Potassium selenate can be used to produce selenium trioxide. It can also use to treat selenium deficiency in livestock.