Why do most reagents have potassium instead of sodium?

[ShawnD]

Many reagents have potassium as the cation instead of sodium. Permanganate is always potassium permanganate. Chlorate is always potassium chlorate. Nitrate is always potassium nitrate. Iodide is potassium iodide.
If potassium costs more money, why is it used in everything?

 

[movies]

You can usually get the sodium salts too. We use sodium iodide in the lab all the time, but rarely KI. Also, sodium chlorite is used in commercial bleach, not potassium. Sometimes its a solubility issue, sometimes it's just availability. There is sometimes a reactivity difference as well.

 

[ravenprp]

The choice of using potassium instead of sodium in reagents is not solely based on cost, but rather on the chemical properties and reactions of these elements. Potassium and sodium are both alkali metals and have similar properties, but potassium is generally more reactive and has a larger atomic radius. This makes it more suitable for a wider range of chemical reactions and allows it to form stronger bonds with other elements. Additionally, potassium compounds tend to be more soluble in water, making them easier to dissolve and use in reactions. Therefore, the use of potassium in reagents is not just a matter of cost, but rather a practical and scientific decision based on its chemical properties and effectiveness in various reactions.