1310-58-3 Usage
Chemical Description
Potassium hydroxide is a strong base, and trifluoroethyl ether is a solvent.
Chemical Description
Potassium hydroxide is a strong base used in the production of various chemicals, including soaps and detergents.
Chemical Description
Potassium hydroxide is a strong base that is commonly used in the production of soaps and detergents.
Chemical Description
Potassium hydroxide is a white, odorless solid used in the production of soaps and detergents.
Chemical Description
Potassium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid are used in the workup of the reaction to isolate and purify the products.
Chemical Description
Potassium hydroxide is a strong base used to initiate the reaction.
Chemical Description
Potassium hydroxide and alkalis are strong bases that can decompose liquid nitric peroxide, producing ammonia and nitric oxide.
Chemical Description
Potassium hydroxide is a strong base that is commonly used in organic chemistry.
Chemical Description
Potassium hydroxide is a strong base commonly used in organic chemistry reactions.
Uses
1. Chemical Industry:
Potassium hydroxide is used as a precursor or source of potassium in the manufacture of other potassium compounds.
2. Electrochemistry:
It serves as an electrolyte in the production of batteries and fuel cells, acting as a good conductor of electricity.
3. Wet Processing of Semiconductors:
Potassium hydroxide is used as an etchant due to its corrosivity and alkalinity.
4. Biomass Fuels:
It acts as a catalyst in the manufacturing of biodiesel from oils and fats through the transesterification of triglycerides in vegetable oil.
5. Food Industry:
Potassium hydroxide is used as an additive in the rinse solution for fruits and vegetables, as a stabilizer, thickener, and pH regulator in the production of chocolate, cocoa, soft drinks, and ice cream.
6. Cleaning:
It is used in the manufacture of "potassium soaps" and as an additive in industrial cleaners for various applications due to its alkalinity and solubility for grease.
7. Personal Care:
Potassium hydroxide is used in liquid soaps, lotions, shampoos, hairsprays, and denture cleaners to increase softness and solubility.
8. Medicine:
It is used for disbudding calves' horns and dissolving scales and hair in veterinary medicine, as well as for dissolving warts and cuticles in humans and diagnosing fungal infections.
9. Agriculture:
Potassium hydroxide is a raw material and source of potassium in the production of potassium fertilizers, such as potassium phosphate.
10. Paper Industry:
It is used as an additive for the separation of lignin from cellulose fibers.
11. Dyeing:
Potassium hydroxide is used in the manufacture of tripolycyanamide dye as a raw material.
12. Textile Industry:
It serves as an additive in dyeing, bleaching, and mercerizing textiles, as well as in the production of artificial and polyester fibers.
13. Chemical Analysis:
Potassium hydroxide is used as a titration agent for acids due to its alkalinity.
14. Other Applications:
It is used as a bleaching agent for textiles, an absorption agent for CO2, SO3, and NO3 in gas streams, and for absorbing H2O due to its hygroscopicity.
Production Methods
Potassium hydroxide is produced commerically by electrolysis of a saturated solution of potassium chloride in brine using mercury cells consisting of a titanium anode and mercury cathode. Potassium reacts with mercury forming the amalgam which, on treatment with water, forms potassium hydroxide and hydrogen.
Other types of electrolytic cells, although not so commonly used today, are also known. In a diaphragm type cell that separates the cell into anode and cathode compartments, an aqueous solution of potassium chloride is electrolyzed. Potassium hydroxide and hydrogen are produced at the cathode and chlorine is liberated at the anode. The solution discharged from the cell is evaporated to concentrate potassium hydroxide and precipitate potassium chloride.
Potassium hydroxide also may be made by reacting potassium superoxide with water:
2KO2 + 2H2O → 2KOH + H2O2 + O2
Production Methods
Potassium hydroxide is made by the electrolysis of potassium
chloride. Commercial grades may contain chlorides as well as other
impurities.
Reactions
Potassium hydroxide is a very strong base, more basic than caustic soda. It is neutralized by acids. The solution on evaporation yields the corresponding potassium salt:
KOH + HCl → K+ + Clˉ+ H2O
Action of bromine or iodine on a warm concentrated solution of KOH forms bromate and bromide or iodate and iodide, respectively:
3Br2 + 6OHˉ→ BrO3ˉ + 5Brˉ + 3H2O
3I2 + 6OHˉ → IO3ˉ + 5Iˉ + 3H2O
When carbon dioxide is passed through its aqueous solution and the solution evaporated, potassium bicarbonate is formed:
KOH + CO2 → KHCO3
Reaction with carbon monoxide at 100 to 200°C at a CO pressure above 7 atm yields potassium formate:
KOH + CO → HCOOK
Reaction with phenol in dilute methanol solution forms potassium phenoxide:
KOH + C6H5OH → C6H5OK + H2O
Reaction with boric acid and hydrofluoric acid forms potassium tetrafluoroborate, KBF4:
KOH + H3BO3 + 4HF → KBF4 + 4H2O
An alcoholic solution of potassium hydroxide reacts with an alcoholic solution of carbon disulfide to form potassium ethylxanthogenate, C2H5OCS2K
KOH + C2H5OH + CS2 → C2H5OCS2K + H2O
Reaction with sodium borohydride forms potassium borohydride:
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE 759KOH + NaBH4 → KBH4 + NaOH
Reaction with hydrofluoric acid forms potassium bifluoride:
KOH + 2HF → KHF2 + H2O
Half neutralization of a phthalic anhydride solution forms potassium hydrogen phthalate.
Indications
Potassium hydroxide (KOH) is a strong alkali that digests proteins and epidermal
debris. In one study, 10% solution was applied b.i.d. to each lesion for 30 days with excellent clearance. The side effects included stinging of the lesion and one case of secondary infection. Also reported were the occurrence of a hypertrophic scar
as well as some persistent or transitory hyper- and hypopigmentation. The same
authors who used the 5% KOH solution completed further studies and they found
it to be as effective-yet with decreased side effects.
Air & Water Reactions
Hydrolysis generates enough heat to ignite adjacent combustible material [Haz. Chem. Data 1966]. Dissolves in water (with liberation of heat, may steam and spatter. Solution is basic (alkaline). Deliquescent
Reactivity Profile
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE absorbs moisture readily forming caustic solution that attacks aluminum and zinc. A piece of potassium hydroxide causes liquid chlorine dioxide to explode [Mellor 2:289. 1946-47]. 1,2-dichloroethylene and potassium hydroxide forms chloroacetylene, which is explosive and spontaneously flammable in air. Potassium hydroxide is highly toxic [Rutledge 1968. p. 134]. A reaction between n-nitrosomethylurea and potassium hydroxide in n-butyl ether resulted in an explosion due to the formation of diazomethane [Schwab 1972]. Potassium persulfate and a little potassium hydroxide and water ignited a polythene (polyethylene) liner of a container by release of heat and oxygen [MCA Case History 1155. 1955]. Using potassium hydroxide to dry impure tetrahydrofuran, which contains peroxides, may be hazardous. Explosions have occurred in the past. Sodium hydroxide behaves in a similar way as potassium hydroxide [NSC Newsletter Chem. Soc. 1967]. A strong base. Forms caustic solution in water. [Merck 11th ed. 1989].
Health Hazard
Toxic by ingestion and inhalation, strong caustic, handle with gloves or tongs, corrosive to tissue. Eye, skin and upper respiratory tract irritant.Potassium hydroxide is a strongly alkaline, hydrophilic substance and therefore solid potassium hydroxide is highly corrosive. It reacts with fat and can cause irreversible damage to any site of contact with the body (for example skin or eyes). Solutions of potassium hydroxide in water at concentrations above 0.5% (w/w) are irritating at points of contact and, at higher concentrations, the solutions can be corrosive. Potassium hydroxide does not cause skin allergies. Because of the corrosive properties of potassium hydroxide, its ingestion can be fatal. Under normal conditions of handling and use, potassium hydroxide in solution will dissociate into its constituent ions and, if ingested, will not be systemically available in the body as such.
Fire Hazard
Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated.
Flammability and Explosibility
Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are not flammable as solids or aqueous
solutions.
Pharmaceutical Applications
Potassium hydroxide is widely used in pharmaceutical formulations
to adjust the pH of solutions. It can also be used to react with weak
acids to form salts.
Therapeutically, potassium hydroxide is used in various
dermatological applications.
Safety Profile
Poison by ingestion. An
eye irritant and severe human skin irritant.
Very corrosive to the eyes, skin, and mucous
membranes. Mutation data reported.
Ingestion may cause violent pain in throat
and epigastrium, hematemesis, collapse.
Stricture of esophagus may result if
substance is not immedately fatal. Above
84' it reacts with reducing sugars to form
poisonous carbon monoxide gas. Violent,
exothermic reaction with water. Potentially
explosive reaction with bromoform + crown
ethers, chlorine dioxide, nitrobenzene,
nitromethane, nitrogen trichloride,
peroxidized tetrahydrofuran, 2,4,6-
trinitrotoluene. Reaction with ammonium
hexachloroplatinate(2-) + heat forms a heat-
sensitive explosive product. Violent reaction
or ignition under the appropriate condtions
with acids, alcohols, p-bis(l,3-
dbromoethyl)benzene, cyclopentadene,
germanium, hyponitrous acid, maleic
anhydride, nitroalkanes, 2-nitrophenol,
potassium peroxodisulfate, sugars, 2,2,3,3-
tetrafluoropropanol, thorium dicarbide.
When heated to decomposition it emits
toxic fumes of K2O. See also SODIUM
HYDROXIDE.
Safety
Potassium hydroxide is widely used in the pharmaceutical and food
industries and is generally regarded as a nontoxic material at low
concentrations. At high concentrations it is a corrosive irritant to
the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.
(rat, oral): 0.273 g/kg
Potential Exposure
KOH is generally used as an alkali
and in the manufacture of other potassium compounds.
storage
splash goggles and impermeable gloves should be worn at all times when handling these substances to prevent eye and skin contact. Operations with metal hydroxide solutions that have the potential to create aerosols should be conducted in a fume hood to prevent exposure by inhalation. NaOH and KOH generate considerable heat when dissolved in water; when mixing with water, always add caustics slowly to the water and stir continuously. Never add water in limited quantities to solid hydroxides. Potassium hydroxide should be stored in an airtight, nonmetallic container in a cool, dry place, separated from acids and incompatible substances.
Shipping
UN1814 (solution) & UN1813 (solid); Potassium
hydroxide, solid or solution, Hazard class: 8; Labels:
8-Corrosive material.
Purification Methods
Its carbonate content can be reduced by rinsing KOH sticks rapidly with water prior to dissolving them in boiled out distilled water. Alternatively, a slight excess of saturated BaCl2 or Ba(OH)2 can be added to the solution which, after shaking well, is set aside so that the BaCO3 is allowed to separate out. Davies and Nancollas [Nature 165 237 1950] rendered KOH solutions carbonate free by ion exchange using a column of Amberlite IR-100 in the OH-form.
Incompatibilities
Potassium hydroxide is a strong base and is incompatible with any compound that readily undergoes hydrolysis or oxidation. Violent reaction with acids, alcohols, water, metals (when wet), halogenated hydrocarbons; maleic anhydride. Heat is generated if KOH comes in contact with water and carbon dioxide from the air. It should not be stored in glass or aluminum containers, Corrosive to zinc, aluminum, tin and lead in the presence of moisture releasing combustible/explosive hydrogen gas. Can absorb water from air and give off sufficient heat to ignite surrounding combustible materials.
Waste Disposal
Dilute with large volume of
water, neutralize and flush to sewer
Regulatory Status
GRAS listed. Accepted for use in Europe in certain food
applications. Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database
(injections, infusions, and oral capsules and solutions). Included in
nonparenteral and parenteral medicines licensed in the UK.
Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Non-medicinal
Ingredients.
Check Digit Verification of cas no
The CAS Registry Mumber 1310-58-3 includes 7 digits separated into 3 groups by hyphens. The first part of the number,starting from the left, has 4 digits, 1,3,1 and 0 respectively; the second part has 2 digits, 5 and 8 respectively.
Calculate Digit Verification of CAS Registry Number 1310-58:
(6*1)+(5*3)+(4*1)+(3*0)+(2*5)+(1*8)=43
43 % 10 = 3
So 1310-58-3 is a valid CAS Registry Number.
InChI:InChI=1/K.H2O/h;1H2/q+1;
1310-58-3Relevant articles and documents
POTASSIUM PERFLUOROALKANESULFONATES AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF
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Page/Page column 16; 18-20, (2008/06/13)
A process for the production of potassium perfluoroalkane- sulfonates which comprises the electrolytic fluorination step of electrofluorinating an alkanesulfonyl halide in anhydrous hydrofluoric acid to obtain a gas containing a perfluoro- alkanesulfonyl fluoride as the main component. The process may further comprise the gas absorption step of reacting the gas with an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide to form a solution containing a potassium perfluoroalkanesulfonate, the purification step of removing contaminant potassium fluoride, potassium hydroxide and potassium sulfate from the solution, and the concentration/recovery step of subjecting the purified aqueous solution to concentration and drying. In the electrolytic fluorination, the formation of by-products can be inhibited by keeping the proton concentration of the electrolytic solution within the range of 150 to 1500ppm.
