Potassium Hydroxide is used in alkaline cells and nicads as an electrolyte.
Potassium Hydroxide is used in various chemical, industrial and manufacturing applications.
Potassium hydroxide is used in food to adjust pH, as a stabilizer, and as a thickening agent.
CAS Number: 1310-58-3
EC Number: 215-181-3
E number: E525 (acidity regulators, ...)
SYNONYMS:
Potassium hydroxide, Caustic potash, Lye, Potash lye, Potassia, Potassium hydrate, KOH, POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, 1310-58-3, Caustic potash, Potash lye, Potassium hydrate, Potassium hydroxide (K(OH)), Hydroxyde de potassium, Potassa, Potasse caustique, potassium;hydroxide, Caustic-potash, Kali causticum, Caswell No. 693, Cyantek CC 723, MFCD00003553, Kaliumhydroxid, Aetzkali, CCRIS 6569, Potassio (idrossido di), HSDB 1234, Potassium (hydroxyde de), UNII-WZH3C48M4T, EINECS 215-181-3, WZH3C48M4T, EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 075602, INS NO.525, CHEBI:32035, INS-525, Potassium hydroxide, pellets, DTXSID5029633, E-525, EC 215-181-3, KOH, Potassium Hydroxide (~85%), POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE (II), POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE [II], POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE (MART.), POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE [MART.], potassiumhydroxide, Potasse caustique [French], Potassium hydroxide [JAN], POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE (EP MONOGRAPH), Potassium Hydroxide (Semiconductor Grade), POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE [EP MONOGRAPH], UN1813, UN1814, Kaliumhydroxyde, Atzkali, Kalilauge, Potassium lye, Potassium hydroxide [JAN:NF], potasio hidroxido, hydroxyl potassium, potasium hydroxide, potassium hydoxide, potassium hydroxid, potassium hyroxide, potassium hydorxide, Acid Number Standard 0.1 mgKOH/g. Reference materials intended for use in the determination of Acid, Acid Number Standard 0.5 mgKOH/g. Reference materials intended for use in the determination of Acid, Acid Number Standard 1 mgKOH/g. Reference materials intended for use in the determination of Acid Nu, Acid Number Standard 3 mgKOH/g. Reference materials intended for use in the determination of Acid Nu, Base Number Standard 10 mgKOH/g. Reference material intended for use in the determination of Base Nu, Base Number Standard 30 mgKOH/g. Reference materials intended for use in the determination of Base N, Base Number Standard 6 mgKOH/g. Reference materials intended for use in the determination of Base Nu, potassium -hydroxide, Potassium hydroxide (TN), Potassium hydroxide, flake, Potassium hydroxide, solid, Potassium hydroxide (KOH), Potassium Hydroxide, flakes, Potassium Hydroxide (Powder), MIRACLE WATER 3 in 1, KALI CAUSTICUM [HPUS], Potassium Hydroxide (Pellets), Potassium hydroxide on alumina, DTXCID209633, CHEMBL2103983, POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE [MI], Potassium hydroxide (JP17/NF), POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE [FCC], Potassium Hydroxide, powder, ACS, POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE [HSDB], Potassium hydroxide, p.a., 85%, POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE [VANDF], POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE [WHO-DD], AKOS015904616, DB11153, Potassium hydroxide, pellet, ACS reagent, Potassium hydroxide, pellets, ACS reagent, Potassium hydroxide, AR, flakes, >=85%, Potassium hydroxide, LR, flakes, >=85%, Potassium hydroxide, technical grade, 80%, Potassium hydroxide, AR, pellets, >=85%, Potassium hydroxide, LR, pellets, >=85%, NS00081389, P2844, P2849, 0.0500 Normal (N/20) in Denatured Alcohol, D01168, Potassium hydroxide, technical, >=85%, lumps, Potassium hydroxide, technical, >=85%, powder, Potassium hydroxide, BioXtra, >=85% KOH basis, Potassium hydroxide, reagent grade, 90%, flakes, Potassium hydroxide, SAJ first grade, >=85.0%, Potassium hydroxide, tested according to Ph.Eur., Potassium hydroxide, JIS special grade, >=85.0%, Potassium hydroxide, ROTI?Volum, 0,1N (Ampoule), Q132298, J-005928, Potassium hydroxide, ACS reagent, >=85%, pellets, Potassium hydroxide, electronic grade, 50% in H2O, Potassium hydroxide, solid [UN1813] [Corrosive], Potassium hydroxide solution 10% (wt/v) in methanol, Potassium hydroxide, Vetec(TM) reagent grade, >=85%, Potassium hydroxide, >=85% KOH basis, pellets, white, Base Number (BN) Standard: 6 mg KOH/g in Hydrocarbon Oil, Potassium hydroxide, pellets, Trace Metals Grade 99.95%, Potassium hydroxide, puriss. p.a., >=86% (T), pellets, Acid Number (AN) Standard: 0.1 mg KOH/g in Hydrocarbon Oil, Acid Number (AN) Standard: 0.5 mg KOH/g in Hydrocarbon Oil, Acid Number (AN) Standard: 1.0 mg KOH/g in Hydrocarbon Oil, Acid Number (AN) Standard: 1.5 mg KOH/g in Hydrocarbon Oil, Acid Number (AN) Standard: 2.0 mg KOH/g in Hydrocarbon Oil, Acid Number (AN) Standard: 3.0 mg KOH/g in Hydrocarbon Oil, Base Number (BN) Standard: 10 mg KOH/g in Hydrocarbon Oil, Base Number (BN) Standard: 15 mg KOH/g in Hydrocarbon Oil, Base Number (BN) Standard: 30 mg KOH/g in Hydrocarbon Oil, Base Number (BN) Standard: 40 mg KOH/g in Hydrocarbon Oil, Base Number (BN) Standard: 70 mg KOH/g in Hydrocarbon Oil, Potassium hydroxide, anhydrous, >=99.97% trace metals basis, Potassium hydroxide, puriss. p.a., Reag. Ph. Eur., >=85%, pellets, Potassium hydroxide, semiconductor grade PURANAL(TM) (Honeywell 17851), Potassium hydroxide solution in ethanol, 0,05 mol/l, 0,05 N volumetric standard solution, Acid Number Standard 1.5 mgKOH/g. Reference materials intended for use in the determination of Acid Number in petroleum products by potentiometric titration (ASTM D664) or color-indicator titration, Acid Number Standard 2 mgKOH/g. Reference materials intended for use in the determination of Acid Nu, Potassium hydroxide, puriss., meets analytical specification of Ph. Eur., BP, NF, 85-100.5%, pellets, Potassium hydroxide, semiconductor grade, pellets, 99.99% trace metals basis (Purity excludes sodium content.)
Potassium Hydroxide is a caustic inorganic base.
Potassium Hydroxide is a white solids which occur in several forms, including powders.
Potassium Hydroxide is also known as potash lye or caustic potash.
Potassium Hydroxide has the ability to attract water molecules from the surrounding environment and eventually dissolves in the water it absorbs.
Potassium hydroxide, also known as lye is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula KOH.
Also commonly referred to as caustic potash, Potassium Hydroxide is a potent base that is marketed in several forms including pellets, flakes, and powders.
In addition to the above uses, potassium hydroxide is also used in making soap, as an electrolyte in alkaline batteries and in electroplating, lithography, and paint and varnish removers.
Liquid drain cleaners contain 25 to 36% of potassium hydroxide.
Recently, Potassium Hydroxide has been studied for efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of warts.
It was determined that topical Potassium Hydroxide solution was found to be a safe and effective treatment of plane warts
Potassium hydroxide is a chemical compound.
Potassium Hydroxide's chemical formula is KOH.
Potassium Hydroxide contains potassium and hydroxide ions.
Potassium Hydroxide is a colorless inorganic liquid that acts as a strong base (alkali).
Potassium Hydroxide solution is also known as caustic potash or potash lye and has many different applications.
During the Potassium Hydroxide liquid production process, chlorine and hydrogen are formed as co-products.
Potassium Hydroxide (KOH), Liquid (45%-50%).
Produced by the electrolysis of potassium chloride brine, Potassium Hydroxide has high pH and is highly corrosive, making it uniquely suited for a broad range of applications which require these physical properties and/or require a source of potassium.
Potassium Hydroxide is appreciated for being a clear, colourless liquid and a strong alkali.
Potassium hydroxide is an inorganic compound which is denoted by the chemical formula KOH.
Potassium hydroxide is also known as caustic potash, lye, and potash lye.
This alkali metal hydroxide, Potassium Hydroxide, is a very powerful base.
The aqueous form of potassium hydroxide appears as a clear solution.
In its solid form, Potassium Hydroxide can exist as white to slightly yellow lumps, flakes, pellets, or rods.
No characteristic odour can be attributed to this compound in Potassium Hydroxide's solid state.
Potassium hydroxide is soluble in water, freely soluble in ethanol, methanol, and glycerin.
Potassium Hydroxide is slightly soluble in ether.
Potassium Hydroxide is non-combustible but highly corrosive.
Potassium Hydroxide is registered under the REACH Regulation and is manufactured in and / or imported to the European Economic Area, at ≥ 100 000 tonnes per annum.
In chemical synthesis, the choice between the use of Potassium Hydroxide and the use of NaOH is guided by the solubility or keeping quality of the resulting salt.
The corrosive properties of potassium hydroxide make it a useful ingredient in agents and preparations that clean and disinfect surfaces and materials that can themselves resist corrosion by KOH.
Potassium hydroxide, solution appears as an clear aqueous solution.
Potassium Hydroxide is a corrosive to metals and tissue.
Potassium Hydroxide is noncombustible.
Potassium hydroxide, [dry solid, flake, bead, or granular] appears as a white solid.
Potassium hydroxide is an alkali metal hydroxide.
Potassium hydroxide, also known as lye is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula KOH.
Also commonly referred to as caustic potash, Potassium Hydroxide is a potent base that is marketed in several forms including pellets, flakes, and powders.
Potassium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the formula KOH, and is commonly called caustic potash.
Along with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium Hydroxide is a prototypical strong base.
Potassium Hydroxide has many industrial and niche applications, most of which utilize its caustic nature and its reactivity toward acids.
An estimated 700,000 to 800,000 tonnes of Potassium Hydroxide were produced in 2005.
Potassium Hydroxide is noteworthy as the precursor to most soft and liquid soaps, as well as numerous potassium-containing chemicals.
Potassium Hydroxide is a white solid that is dangerously corrosive.
USES and APPLICATIONS of POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE:
In cosmetics and personal care products, Potassium Hydroxide is used in the formulation of bath products, cleansing products, fragrances, foot powders, hair dyes and colors, makeup, nail products, personal cleanliness products, shampoos, shaving products, depilatories, skin care products, and suntan products.
Potassium Hydroxide is also used in hair straighteners and hair wave sets.
Potassium Hydroxide is used to control the pH of cosmetics and personal care products.
Pharmaceuticals: Potassium Hydroxide is used in pharmaceutical formulations for pH control and Component in certain depilatory creams.
Laboratory Applications of Potassium Hydroxide: Strong alkaline reagent for chemical reactions and Titration standard in analytical chemistry.
Other Industries uses of Potassium Hydroxide: Electrolyte in alkaline batteries, Catalyst in chemical processes, and Desiccant to remove moisture from gases.
Potassium Hydroxide is used to make soap.
Potassium Hydroxide is also used in organic chemistry.
Potassium Hydroxide can be used to make fertilizers and other potassium compounds.
Potassium Hydroxide is used to make diesel from plants.
Potassium Hydroxide is used in alkaline cells and nicads as an electrolyte.
Potassium Hydroxide can be used to identify mushrooms.
Potassium Hydroxide is used in various chemical, industrial and manufacturing applications.
Potassium hydroxide is also a precursor to other potassium compounds.
Potassium hydroxide is used in food to adjust pH, as a stabilizer, and as a thickening agent.
Potassium Hydroxide has been considered as generally safe as a direct human food ingredient by the FDA, based upon the observance of several good manufacturing practice conditions of use.
Medically, Potassium Hydroxide is widely used in the wet mount preparation of various clinical specimens for microscopic visualization of fungi and fungal elements in skin, hair, nails, and even vaginal secretions.
Potassium hydroxide solution is more conductive when compared to NaOH and therefore used as an electrolyte in some alkaline batteries.
Potassium Hydroxide is used as a pH control agent in the food industry.
Potassium Hydroxide is used in the thickening of food.
Potassium Hydroxide is used in chip fabrication for semiconductors.
Potassium Hydroxide is used in the manufacturing of cuticle removers which are used in manicure treatment.
Potassium Hydroxide is used in the identification of species of fungi.
Potassium Hydroxide is used in mercerizing cotton.
Potassium Hydroxide is used in alkalimetric titrations in analytical chemistry.
Potassium Hydroxide is used in the manufacturing of liquid fertilisers.
Potassium Hydroxide is widely used in chemical manufacturing, cleaning compounds, and petroleum refining.
Potassium Hydroxide is used by consumers, in articles, by professional workers (widespread uses), in formulation or re-packing, at industrial sites and in manufacturing.
Potassium Hydroxide is used in the following products: washing & cleaning products, cosmetics and personal care products, coating products, perfumes and fragrances and pH regulators and water treatment products.
Other release to the environment of Potassium Hydroxide is likely to occur from: indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners), outdoor use, indoor use in close systems with minimal release (e.g. cooling liquids in refrigerators, oil-based electric heaters) and outdoor use in close systems with minimal release (e.g. hydraulic liquids in automotive suspension, lubricants in motor oil and break fluids).
Release to the environment of Potassium Hydroxide can occur from industrial use: formulation of mixtures and of substances in closed systems with minimal release.
Other release to the environment of Potassium Hydroxide is likely to occur from: indoor use in close systems with minimal release (e.g. cooling liquids in refrigerators, oil-based electric heaters), outdoor use in close systems with minimal release (e.g. hydraulic liquids in automotive suspension, lubricants in motor oil and break fluids) and indoor use in long-life materials with low release rate (e.g. flooring, furniture, toys, construction materials, curtains, foot-wear, leather products, paper and cardboard products, electronic equipment).
Potassium Hydroxide can be found in complex articles, with no release intended: electrical batteries and accumulators.
Potassium Hydroxide is used in the following products: washing & cleaning products.
Potassium Hydroxide is used in the following areas: scientific research and development, mining, health services, agriculture, forestry and fishing, building & construction work, printing and recorded media reproduction, municipal supply (e.g. electricity, steam, gas, water) and sewage treatment and formulation of mixtures and/or re-packaging.
Potassium Hydroxide is used for the manufacture of: machinery and vehicles.
Other release to the environment of Potassium Hydroxide is likely to occur from: indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners) and outdoor use.
Potassium Hydroxide is used in the following products: pH regulators and water treatment products.
Release to the environment of Potassium Hydroxide can occur from industrial use: formulation of mixtures and of substances in closed systems with minimal release.
Potassium Hydroxide is used for the manufacture of: chemicals and metals.
Potassium Hydroxide is used in the following products: pH regulators and water treatment products.
Potassium Hydroxide is used in the following areas: mining, scientific research and development and municipal supply (e.g. electricity, steam, gas, water) and sewage treatment.
Potassium hydroxide is also a precursor to other potassium compounds.
Release to the environment of Potassium Hydroxide can occur from industrial use: as processing aid, in processing aids at industrial sites, as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates), of substances in closed systems with minimal release and in the production of articles.
Release to the environment of Potassium Hydroxide can occur from industrial use: manufacturing of the substance.
Because aggressive bases like KOH damage the cuticle of the hair shaft, potassium hydroxide is used to chemically assist the removal of hair from animal hides.
The hides are soaked for several hours in a solution of Potassium Hydroxide and water to prepare them for the unhairing stage of the tanning process.
This same effect is also used to weaken human hair in preparation for shaving.
Preshave products and some shave creams contain potassium hydroxide to force open the hair cuticle and to act as a hygroscopic agent to attract and force water into the hair shaft, causing further damage to the hair.
In this weakened state, the hair is more easily cut by a razor blade.
Potassium hydroxide is used to identify some species of fungi.
A 3–5% aqueous solution of Potassium Hydroxide is applied to the flesh of a mushroom and the researcher notes whether or not the color of the flesh changes.
Certain species of gilled mushrooms, boletes, polypores, and lichens are identifiable based on this color-change reaction.
Potassium Hydroxide is also used for semiconductor chip fabrication (for example anisotropic wet etching).
Potassium hydroxide is often the main active ingredient in chemical "cuticle removers" used in manicure treatments.
Potassium Hydroxide is used in chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining, cleaning compounds.
Potassium Hydroxide is used in soap manufacture, bleach, as an electrolyte in alkaline batteries, and as a food additive.
Potassium Hydroxide is used in various chemical, industrial and manufacturing applications.
Potassium hydroxide is also a precursor to other potassium compounds.
Potassium hydroxide is used in food to adjust pH, as a stabilizer, and as a thickening agent.
Potassium Hydroxide has been considered as generally safe as a direct human food ingredient by the FDA, based upon the observance of several good manufacturing practice conditions of use.
In addition to the above uses, potassium hydroxide is also used in making soap, as an electrolyte in alkaline batteries and in electroplating, lithography, and paint and varnish removers.
Liquid drain cleaners contain 25 to 36% of potassium hydroxide.
Medically, potassium hydroxide (KOH) is widely used in the wet mount preparation of various clinical specimens for microscopic visualization of fungi and fungal elements in skin, hair, nails, and even vaginal secretions.
Recently, Potassium Hydroxide has been studied for efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of warts.
It was determined that topical Potassium Hydroxide solution was found to be a safe and effective treatment of plane warts.
Potassium Hydroxide is a small molecule drug with a maximum clinical trial phase of III and has 1 investigational indication.
Potassium Hydroxide and NaOH can be used interchangeably for a number of applications, although in industry, NaOH is preferred because of its lower cost.
-Food industry uses of Potassium Hydroxide:
In food products, potassium hydroxide acts as a food thickener, pH control agent and food stabilizer.
The FDA considers Potassium Hydroxide generally safe as a direct food ingredient when used in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices.
Potassium Hydroxide is known in the E number system as E525.
-Niche applications of Potassium Hydroxide:
Like sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide attracts numerous specialized applications, virtually all of which rely on its properties as a strong chemical base with its consequent ability to degrade many materials.
For example, in a process commonly referred to as "chemical cremation" or "resomation", potassium hydroxide hastens the decomposition of soft tissues, both animal and human, to leave behind only the bones and other hard tissues.
Entomologists wishing to study the fine structure of insect anatomy may use a 10% aqueous solution of Potassium Hydroxide to apply this process.
-Chemical Industry uses of Potassium Hydroxide:
Potassium Hydroxide is used production of potassium salts and soaps.
Potassium Hydroxide is used in the manufacture of biodiesel via transesterification.
Potassium Hydroxide is used neutralization and saponification reactions.
-Cleaning Productsuses of Potassium Hydroxide:
Key ingredient in drain cleaners and oven cleaners.
Removes grease, oils, and protein-based deposits.
-Food Industry uses of Potassium Hydroxide:
Regulated as a food additive (E525) for pH adjustment.
Potassium Hydroxide is used in peeling fruits and vegetables.
-Potassium Hydroxide is used for precursor to other potassium compounds:
Many potassium salts are prepared by neutralization reactions involving Potassium Hydroxide.
The potassium salts of carbonate, cyanide, permanganate, phosphate, and various silicates are prepared by treating either the oxides or the acids with Potassium Hydroxide.
The high solubility of potassium phosphate is desirable in fertilizers.
-Manufacture of soft soaps
The saponification of fats with Potassium Hydroxide is used to prepare the corresponding "potassium soaps", which are softer than the more common sodium hydroxide-derived soaps.
Because of their softness and greater solubility, potassium soaps require less water to liquefy, and can thus contain more cleaning agent than liquefied sodium soaps.
-Potassium Hydroxide is used as an electrolyte
Aqueous potassium hydroxide is employed as the electrolyte in alkaline batteries based on nickel-cadmium, nickel-hydrogen, and manganese dioxide-zinc.
Potassium hydroxide is preferred over sodium hydroxide because its solutions are more conductive.
The nickel–metal hydride batteries in the Toyota Prius use a mixture of potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide.
Nickel–iron batteries also use potassium hydroxide electrolyte.
-Potassium Hydroxide is used for Catalyst for hydrothermal gasification process:
In industry, Potassium Hydroxide is a good catalyst for hydrothermal gasification process.
In this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used to improve the yield of gas and amount of hydrogen in process.
For example, production of coke (fuel) from coal often produces much coking wastewater.
In order to degrade Potassium Hydroxide, supercritical water is used to convert it to the syngas containing carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane.
Using pressure swing adsorption, we could separate various gases and then use power-to-gas technology to convert them to fuel.
On the other hand, the hydrothermal gasification process could degrade other waste such as sewage sludge and waste from food factories.
APPLICATIONS AND MARKETS OF POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE:
• Alkaline batteries
• Runway de-icing
• Dyes
• Liquid fertilizers
• Food additives
• Crop protection
• Oil & gas drilling
• Pharmaceuticals
• Potassium carbonate
• Potassium phosphates
• Soaps & detergents
• Water treatment
PROPERTIES OF POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE:
Potassium Hydroxide is a white powder.
Potassium Hydroxide dissolves easily in water to make a basic solution.
Potassium Hydroxide reacts with acids to give potassium salts.
Potassium Hydroxide is less common than sodium hydroxide.
About 700,000 tons of Potassium Hydroxide are made each year.
Potassium Hydroxide is hygroscopic, meaning that it absorbs water from the air and forms a solution.
Potassium Hydroxide is very hard to get the water out again.
Potassium Hydroxide releases heat when it is dissolved in water, similar to sodium hydroxide.
Potassium Hydroxide gradually reacts with carbon dioxide in the air to form potassium carbonate.
Potassium Hydroxide melts easily.
Potassium Hydroxide feels greasy when it gets on the skin because it makes soap from the fat in your skin.
Potassium Hydroxide is made when potassium reacts with water.
PREPARATION OF POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE:
Potassium Hydroxide is made by electrolysis of a potassium chloride solution.
Potassium Hydroxide can also be made by reacting calcium hydroxide with potassium carbonate.
The calcium carbonate precipitates and is filtered, leaving potassium hydroxide.
PROPERTIES AND BENEFITS OF POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE:
*Strong Alkalinity:
High pH makes it effective for neutralizing acids.
*Versatile Reagent:
Widely applicable in organic and inorganic reactions.
*High Reactivity:
Rapidly dissolves fats, oils, and organic materials.
*Environmental Impact:
Easily neutralized and biodegradable under controlled conditions.
RELATED COMPOUNDS OF POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE:
-Other anions
*Potassium hydrosulfide
*Potassium amide
-Other cations
*Lithium hydroxide
*Sodium hydroxide
*Rubidium hydroxide
*Caesium hydroxide
-Related compounds
*Potassium oxide
CHMEICAL REACTIONS UNDERGONE BY POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE:
1. Saponification of ester
The ester is saponified by heating with a known amount of potassium hydroxide in an organic solvent in a sealed tube.
To be useful analytically, this reaction must be quantitative in a reasonable length of time.
One condition that favours a rapid and quantitative reaction is the use of Potassium Hydroxide as a strong base as possible.
KOH + RCOOR’ → RCOOK + R’OH
2. Potassium Hydroxide reacts with CO2 to produce bicarbonate
The addition of hydroxide ions by adding lime, sodium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide, adjusts the pH because the hydroxide ion reacts with carbon dioxide to form bicarbonate alkalinity.
KOH + CO2 → KHCO3
MANUFACTURE OF POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE:
Historically, Potassium Hydroxide was made by adding potassium carbonate to a strong solution of calcium hydroxide (slaked lime).
The salt metathesis reaction results in precipitation of solid calcium carbonate, leaving potassium hydroxide in solution:
Ca(OH)2 + K2CO3 → CaCO3 + 2 KOH
Filtering off the precipitated calcium carbonate and boiling down the solution gives potassium hydroxide ("calcinated or caustic potash").
This method of producing potassium hydroxide remained dominant until the late 19th century, when it was largely replaced by the current method of electrolysis of potassium chloride solutions.
The method is analogous to the manufacture of sodium hydroxide (see chloralkali process):
2 KCl + 2 H2O → 2 KOH + Cl2 + H2
Hydrogen gas forms as a byproduct on the cathode; concurrently, an anodic oxidation of the chloride ion takes place, forming chlorine gas as a byproduct.
Separation of the anodic and cathodic spaces in the electrolysis cell is essential for this process.
PROPERTIES AND STRUCTURE OF POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE:
Potassium Hydroxide exhibits high thermal stability.
Because of this high stability and relatively low melting point, Potassium Hydroxide is often melt-cast as pellets or rods, forms that have low surface area and convenient handling properties.
These pellets become tacky in air because Potassium Hydroxide is hygroscopic.
Most commercial samples are ca. 90% pure, the remainder being water and carbonates.
Potassium Hydroxide's dissolution in water is strongly exothermic.
Concentrated aqueous solutions of Potassium Hydroxide are sometimes called potassium lyes.
Even at high temperatures, solid Potassium Hydroxide does not dehydrate readily.
Structure
At higher temperatures, solid Potassium Hydroxide crystallizes in the NaCl crystal structure.
The OH− group is either rapidly or randomly disordered so that it is effectively a spherical anion of radius 1.53 Å (between Cl− and F− in size).
At room temperature, the OH− groups are ordered and the environment about the K+ centers is distorted, with K+−OH− distances ranging from 2.69 to 3.15 Å, depending on the orientation of the OH group.
Potassium Hydroxide forms a series of crystalline hydrates, namely the monohydrate KOH · H2O, the dihydrate KOH · 2H2O and the tetrahydrate KOH · 4H2O.
REACTIONS OF POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE:
*Solubility and desiccating properties
About 112 g of Potassium Hydroxide dissolve in 100 mL water at room temperature, which contrasts with 100 g/100 mL for NaOH.
Thus on a molar basis, Potassium Hydroxide is slightly more soluble than NaOH.
Lower molecular-weight alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, and propanols are also excellent solvents.
They participate in an acid-base equilibrium.
In the case of methanol the potassium methoxide (methylate) forms:
KOH + CH3OH → CH3OK + H2O
Because of its high affinity for water, Potassium Hydroxide serves as a desiccant in the laboratory.
Potassium Hydroxide is often used to dry basic solvents, especially amines and pyridines.
*As a nucleophile in organic chemistry
Potassium Hydroxide, like NaOH, serves as a source of OH−, a highly nucleophilic anion that attacks polar bonds in both inorganic and organic materials.
Aqueous Potassium Hydroxide saponifies esters:
KOH + RCOOR' → RCOOK + R'OH
When R is a long chain, Potassium Hydroxide is called a potassium soap.
This reaction is manifested by the "greasy" feel that Potassium Hydroxide gives when touched; fats on the skin are rapidly converted to soap and glycerol.
Molten Potassium Hydroxide is used to displace halides and other leaving groups.
The reaction is especially useful for aromatic reagents to give the corresponding phenols.
*Reactions with inorganic compounds
Complementary to its reactivity toward acids, Potassium Hydroxide attacks oxides.
Thus, SiO2 is attacked by Potassium Hydroxide to give soluble potassium silicates.
Potassium Hydroxide reacts with carbon dioxide to give potassium bicarbonate:
KOH + CO2 → KHCO3
PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL PROPERTIES of POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE:
Chemical formula: KOH
Molar mass: 56.105 g·mol−1
Appearance: White solid, deliquescent
Odor: Odorless
Density: 2.044 g/cm3 (20 °C), 2.12 g/cm3 (25 °C)
Melting point: 410 °C (770 °F; 683 K)
Boiling point: 1,327 °C (2,421 °F; 1,600 K)
Solubility in water: 85 g/100 mL (-23.2 °C), 97 g/100 mL (0 °C),
121 g/100 mL (25 °C), 138.3 g/100 mL (50 °C), 162.9 g/100 mL (100 °C)
Solubility: Soluble in alcohol, glycerol;
Insoluble in ether, liquid ammonia
Solubility in methanol: 55 g/100 g (28 °C)
Solubility in isopropanol: ~14 g / 100 g (28 °C)
Acidity (pKa): 14.7
Magnetic susceptibility (χ): −22.0·10−6 cm3/mol
Refractive index (nD): 1.409 (20 °C)
Thermochemistry:
Heat capacity (C): 65.87 J/mol·K
Std molar entropy (S⦵298): 79.32 J/mol·K
Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298): -425.8 kJ/mol
Gibbs free energy (ΔfG⦵): -380.2 kJ/mol
Molecular Weight: 56.106 g/mol
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count: 1
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count: 1
Rotatable Bond Count: 0
Exact Mass: 55.96644614 Da
Monoisotopic Mass: 55.96644614 Da
Topological Polar Surface Area: 1Ų
Heavy Atom Count: 2
Formal Charge: 0
Complexity: 2
Isotope Atom Count: 0
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count: 0
Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count: 0
Defined Bond Stereocenter Count: 0
Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count: 0
Covalently-Bonded Unit Count: 2
Compound Is Canonicalized: Yes
Molecular Formula: KOH
Molecular Weight: 56.11 g/mol
Appearance: White crystalline solid, pellets, or flakes
Odor: Odorless
Density: ~2.044 g/cm³
Melting Point: 360°C
Boiling Point: ~1,327°C
Solubility in Water: Highly soluble, exothermic dissolution
pH (1% Solution): ~13-14
Stability: Hygroscopic, absorbs moisture and carbon dioxide from the air
FIRST AID MEASURES of POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE:
-Description of first-aid measures
*General advice:
Show this material safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
*If inhaled:
After inhalation:
Fresh air.
*In case of skin contact:
Take off immediately all contaminated clothing.
Rinse skin with
water/ shower.
*In case of eye contact:
After eye contact:
Rinse out with plenty of water.
Call in ophthalmologist.
Remove contact lenses.
*If swallowed:
After swallowing:
Immediately make victim drink water (two glasses at most).
Consult a physician.
-Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed.
No data available
ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES of POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE:
-Environmental precautions:
Do not let product enter drains.
-Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Cover drains.
Collect, bind, and pump off spills.
Observe possible material restrictions.
Take up dry.
Dispose of properly.
Clean up affected area.
FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES of POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE:
-Extinguishing media:
*Suitable extinguishing media:
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Foam
Dry powder
*Unsuitable extinguishing media:
For this substance/mixture no limitations of extinguishing agents are given.
-Further information:
Prevent fire extinguishing water from contaminating surface water or the ground water system.
EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION of POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE:
-Control parameters:
--Ingredients with workplace control parameters:
-Exposure controls:
--Personal protective equipment:
*Eye/face protection:
Use equipment for eye protection.
Safety glasses
*Body Protection:
protective clothing
*Respiratory protection:
Recommended Filter type: Filter A
-Control of environmental exposure:
Do not let product enter drains.
HANDLING and STORAGE of POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE:
-Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
*Storage conditions:
Tightly closed.
Dry.
STABILITY and REACTIVITY of POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE:
-Chemical stability:
The product is chemically stable under standard ambient conditions (room temperature) .
-Possibility of hazardous reactions:
No data available