Potassium hydroxide (KOH) is an inorganic compound composed of potassium (K) and hydroxide (OH) ions. It is a strong base and is commonly known as caustic potash. Here’s a more detailed description:
Physical Properties:
- Appearance: White, odorless, solid crystalline substance.
- Solubility: Highly soluble in water, forming a strongly alkaline solution.
- State: Solid at room temperature, but it readily absorbs moisture from the air, so it is often stored in sealed containers.
Propriedades Químicas:
- Strong Base: Potassium hydroxide dissociates completely in water to produce potassium ions (K⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻), making its aqueous solutions highly alkaline with a high pH.
- Reactivity: KOH is highly reactive and can cause severe burns on contact with skin or eyes. It can also react violently with acids, releasing heat and forming water and salts.
Usos:
- Soap Production: Potassium hydroxide is used in the manufacture of soft soaps (liquid soaps), as it produces potassium salts of fatty acids, which have a softer consistency than sodium salts.
- Fertilizers: It is used in the production of potassium-based fertilizers, such as potassium carbonate, potassium sulfate, and potassium phosphate.
- Chemical Manufacturing: KOH is used as a catalyst or reagent in various chemical syntheses, including the production of biodiesel and the manufacturing of chemicals like potassium salts, and in the production of hydrogen gas.
- Cleaning Agent: Due to its strong alkaline nature, KOH is used in industrial cleaning and degreasing applications.
- pH Regulation: It is also employed in laboratories to adjust pH levels in solutions, or to neutralize acidic substances.
Safety:
- Corrosive: Potassium hydroxide is caustic and can cause severe damage to tissues, including the skin and eyes. Proper safety measures, including gloves and goggles, should be used when handling it.
- Armazenar: KOH must be stored in a tightly sealed container to prevent it from absorbing moisture and carbon dioxide from the air.
Environmental Impact:
- While potassium hydroxide is a useful chemical in many industrial processes, its highly alkaline nature means that it can have harmful effects on aquatic environments if not disposed of properly.
