2836.40 - Potassium carbonates:

This HTS category, 2836.40, specifically encompasses potassium carbonates. This includes various salts formed by potassium cations and carbonate anions, playing significant roles in industrial processes, food production, and chemical synthesis. The scope is limited to compounds where potassium is the primary cation, differentiating it from other metal carbonates found within heading 2836.

Within the broader heading of "Carbonates; peroxocarbonates (percarbonates); commercial ammonium carbonate containing ammonium carbamate," this category is distinguished by its focus on potassium-based compounds. For instance, it is separate from disodium carbonate (2836.20.00.00), sodium hydrogencarbonate (2836.30.00.00), calcium carbonate (2836.50.00.00), and barium carbonate (2836.60.00.00), all of which are classified under different subheadings based on their metallic cation.

The classification 2836.40 is further subdivided to provide granular detail on specific potassium carbonate forms. The subcategories, Dipotassium carbonate (2836.40.10.00) and Potassium hydrogencarbonate (Potassium bicarbonate) (2836.40.20.00), allow for precise identification based on the number of potassium ions and hydrogen atoms present in the carbonate structure, reflecting differing chemical properties and applications.