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Potassium hydroxide

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es:hidróxido potásico fr:Hydroxyde de potassium pl:wodorotlenek potasu de:Kaliumhydroxid

</table> The chemical compoundpotassium hydroxide, (KOH) sometimes known as caustic potash, potassa, potash lye and potassium hydrate, is a metallic base. It is a very alkaline compound used in agriculture to correct the pH of acidic soils. It can also be used as a fungicide or even an herbicide.

Uses

It is a major industrial chemical used as a base in a wide variety of chemical processes.

It is used as a catalyst in reactions like the production of biodiesel, the advantage of using KOH and not NaOH is that NaOH "clumps" and KOH doesn't.

Some uses of KOH include acrylate ester copolymer coating, defoaming agents used in the manufacture of paper, formulation aid for food, pH control agent, polyethylene resins, textile processing.

Food uses include washing or chemical peeling of fruits and vegetables, chocolate and cocoa processing, caramel color production, poultry scalding, and forming a skin on pretzels before baking, olive aging, soft drink processing, ice cream thickener.

Other uses include in veterinary medicine in disbudding calves horns and to dissolve scales and hair; manufacture of cleansers; in wart removal and as a cuticle solvent. This type of compound is also used in washing powders, some denture cleaners, non-phosphate detergents, and drain or pipe cleaners.

It is also a traditional ingredient in the making of soap, and for this purpose was historically obtained in an impure form by steeping wood ash in water for a long period.

Properties

General

Name Potassium hydroxide
Chemical formula KOH
Appearance White solid

Physical

Formula weight 56.1 amu
Melting point 679 K (406 °C)
Boiling point 1593 K (1320 °C)
Density 2.0 ×103 kg/m3
Crystal structure ?
Solubility 119 g in 100g water

Thermochemistry

ΔfH0gas -232 kJ/mol
ΔfH0liquid -415.6 kJ/mol
ΔfH0solid -425 kJ/mol
S0solid 79 J/mol·K

Safety

Ingestion Very dangerous, may cause permanent GI damage, even death.
Inhalation Very dangerous, high doses may cause serious injury. Long-term hazards also known.
Skin Causes burns, ranging from a rash up to deep ulcers.
Eyes As for skin, may cause irreversible damage.
More info Hazardous Chemical Database (http://ull.chemistry.uakron.edu/erd/chemicals1/7/6956.html)

SI units were used where possible. Unless otherwise stated, standard conditions were used.

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This page was last modified 03:47, 26 Sep 2004.
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