Final answer:
Potassium oxalate (K2C2O4) is an anticoagulant used in blood collection tubes to prevent coagulation by precipitating calcium ions. It is often found in lavender or pink-topped tubes used for blood tests.
Step-by-step explanation:
Potassium oxalate, with its chemical formula K2C2O4, is an ionic salt of potassium and oxalate ions. In the context of clinical blood tests, it serves as an anticoagulant and is found in lavender or pink-topped blood collection tubes. These tubes contain a mixture of potassium oxalate and EDTA, or sometimes just potassium oxalate, to prevent blood coagulation by precipitating calcium ions as calcium oxalate, thus ensuring that the blood sample remains in a fluid state for accurate laboratory analysis.
The use of potassium oxalate in this application is based on the principle that calcium ions are crucial for blood coagulation. To perform certain tests accurately, it is necessary to maintain the blood in a non-coagulated state, which is achieved by binding the calcium ions and preventing the clotting process.