Description

Potassium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the formula KOH. Its common name is caustic potash. Along with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), this colourless solid is a prototypical strong base. It has many industrial and niche applications. Most applications exploit its reactivity toward acids and its corrosive nature. In ***5, an estimated **0,**0 to **0,**0 tons were produced. Approximately **0 times more NaOH than KOH is produced annually. KOH is noteworthy as the precursor to most soft and liquid soaps as well as numerous potassium-containing chemicals.

Properties and structure

Potassium hydroxide can be found in pure form by reacting sodium hydroxide with impure potassium. Potassium hydroxide is usually sold as translucent pellets, which will become tacky in air because KOH is hygroscopic. Consequently, KOH typically contains varying amounts of water (as well as carbonates, see below). Its dissolution in water is strongly exothermic, meaning the process gives off significant heat. Concentrated aqueous solutions are sometimes called potassium lyes. Even at high temperatures, solid KOH does not dehydrate readily

 

Commodity: Potassium hydroxide

Molecular formula: KOH

White flakes

Application: mainly used in alkaline batteries industries, soap, and so on