Potassium Hydroxide

Potassium hydroxide is an inorganic chemical compound with the formula KOH and CAS number 1310-58-3. Its structure comprises an ionic bond between the hydroxyl anion and the potassium metal cation. This compound is sometimes referred to as caustic potash, potash lye, potassium hydrate or potassia and is considered a strong base. Potassium hydroxide is usually offered for sale in several forms, including liquid solution, pellets, flakes, sticks, etc.

General Properties

Pure caustic potash is white solid. It can be obtained by reacting sodium hydroxide with impure potassium. The density of the substance is 2.12 g/ml. Its boiling point: 1,327 °C, the melting point is 360 °C.

The solid chemical is hygroscopic thus makes it a useful laboratory drying agent. It is thermally stable and does not decompose even at high temperatures. When dissolved in water potassium hydroxide gives an exothermic reaction and forms strongly alkaline, aqueous solutions known as potassium lye. Besides, it readily reacts with acids forming different potassium salts.

Applications

Potassium hydroxide has a lot of uses in lab, as well as in industry. As was mentioned above, many potassium salts, such as cyanide, carbonate, permanganate, etc., are prepared by neutralization reaction that involves caustic potash. It also works well in manufacture of biodiesel, though it is more expensive than sodium hydroxide.

The compound is also used to manufacture the potassium soaps that are much softer and possess greater solubility then those, derived from caustic soda. The aqueous solution of the chemical is included in alkaline batteries as electrolyte. The corrosive properties make it a useful ingredient of cleaning and disinfecting agents.

In order to buy potassium hydroxide at better price visit our online store Brumer. Here you can purchase caustic potash in pellets and 10% liquid solution. Before the delivery of your order, we carefully check every single item for you to get the best goods.