4 Method of making potassium hydroxide are included in this article. Potassium hydroxide is a strong base made of potassium alkali metal with atomic number 19 in the periodic table. The chemical formula of potassium hydroxide is KOH and its molar mass is 56.11 grams per mole. The structure of KOH consists of an ionic bond between a potassium metal cation and a hydroxyl anion. It is a useful raw material in making more potassium salts. It can be made of different methods for different applications.
Global demand for potassium hydroxide is expected to grow by 4.0% per year. It is a fine white solid with low vapor pressure. It is a strong alkaline substance that dissolves completely in water into potassium ions and hydroxyl ions. Potassium hydroxide is used in many similar cases to sodium hydroxide. Used as an electrolyte in alkaline batteries. It is also used to make soft soaps and liquid soaps by soap making. Many useful industrial potassium salts are prepared by reaction with KOH. Some other applications of KOH are in the manufacture of chemicals, fertilizer production, oil refining and cleaning solutions. Solid potassium hydroxide is used as an intermediate in a wide range of production processes, from the production of drugs and fertilizers to its use in oil refining. In addition, it is a precursor to other potassium compounds. In medicine, potassium hydroxide can be used in clinical specimens to purify cellular material and better visualize fungal elements. This method is often used when examining scratches on the skin or scalp for the presence of hyphae and arthroconidia in suspected dermatophyte infection, but KOH can be used in many types of samples. Liquid drain cleaners contain 25 to 36% potassium hydroxide.
Make potassium hydroxide from wood ash. In the past, ashes were washed from wood fires and the potassium carbonate in them was used to make soap. Potassium carbonate, if heated too much, gives off carbon dioxide gas and produces potassium oxide. The reaction of the oxide with water produces potassium hydroxide. Follow this method using a furnace to heat potassium carbonate. Electrolyze the potassium chloride solution in the electrolysis machine. Electrolysis of an aqueous solution of potassium chloride produces chlorine gas at one electrode and potassium hydroxide at another. The gas either collects or is allowed to enter the atmosphere. Hydrogen gas, like potassium hydroxide, forms at the cathode, while chlorine gas forms at the anode.
Prepare potassium hydroxide from metal. However, this is not a good commercial method for preparing this material. Potassium metal can be combined with water to evolve hydrogen and produce potassium hydroxide. (This is dangerous) When the metal potassium comes in contact with water, a lot of heat is generated which melts the metal and turns the hydrogen into a purple flame. Even a piece of potassium the size of a pea reacts this way.
Potassium hydroxide can be made from hydride, acetyl, azide, and a host of other compounds (although impractical). For example, azide reacts with water to form potassium hydroxide, ammonia gas, and heat. If acetylene reacts with water, it produces acetylene gas and potassium hydroxide. Likewise, hydride produces hydrogen gas and potassium hydroxide.
Potassium hydroxide is produced industrially by electrolysis of potassium chloride. The industrial preparation of KOH is similar to NaOH, by the chlor-alkali process. This material is prepared by electrolysis of potassium chloride solutions with chlorine gas as a by-product:
2KCl + 2 H 2 O → 2KOH + Cl 2 + H 2
The point is that: It is difficult to prepare pure potassium hydroxide. Because the compound is so reactive that it tends to react with moisture, carbon dioxide and other impurities in contact. This compound is commercially available in about 90% purity. Much purer products are available if needed.
Potassium hydroxide is a very dangerous chemical. It is corrosive to tissues and can cause severe burns to the skin, eyes and mucous membranes. If swallowed, it can cause internal bleeding, tissue scarring, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and hypotension, which can lead to collapse. Enough can cause death. Inhalation of potassium hydroxide vapors or dust can irritate the lungs, sneeze, sore throat, runny nose and severe lung damage. Due to eye contact, this compound can cause blurred vision and, in small amounts, vision loss. People who work with this compound should always wear goggles, gloves and protective clothing to reduce the risk of contact with the chemical.