Open In App

Potassium Hydroxide Formula – Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions

Improve
Improve
Like Article
Like
Save
Share
Report

Potassium (K) is a chemical element. and its atomic number is 19. Potassium is a silvery-white metal that is soft enough to be cut with a knife with little force. Potassium metal reacts rapidly with atmospheric oxygen to form flaky white potassium peroxide in only seconds of exposure.

Hydroxide is a diatomic anion with substance recipe OH⁻. It comprises an oxygen and hydrogen molecule kept intact by a solitary covalent bond and conveys a negative electric charge. It is a significant yet typically minor constituent of water. Its capacities as a base, a ligand, a nucleophile, and a catalyst.

Potassium hydroxide

Potassium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the equation KOH and is normally called acidic potash. Alongside sodium hydroxide (NaOH), KOH is a strong solid base. It has numerous modern and specialty applications, a large portion of which exploit its burning nature and its reactivity toward acids.

The formula of Potassium Hydroxide

The chemical equation for the component potassium hydroxide is KOH. In addition, the Molar Mass of the Potassium Hydroxide is 56.11 g/mol. KOH contains an ionic bond that is between the potassium metal cation and the hydroxyl anion.

Moreover, The strong KOH is available in a rhombohedral translucent design. This design is much like that of sodium chloride.

K + OH ⇢  KOH

Structure of Potassium Hydroxide

The structure of Potassium Hydroxide is,

At hot temperatures, the strong KOH takes shape as NaCl crystalline structure. OH, the group is either arbitrarily or quickly disarranged. This happens so the OH-bunch is actually a round shape anion that has a radius of 1.53 An and it is among Cl and F in size.

At room temperature, it arranges the OHgroup and the climate about K+ focuses are contorted. With the K+OHdistances having a scope of 2.69 to 3.15 A, it relies upon the direction of the OH group. KOH produces a progression of translucent hydrates. In particular the monohydrate KOH. H2O, the dry-out KOH. 2H2O and tetra-hydrate KOH. 4H2O.

Properties of Potassium Hydroxide 

Potassium hydroxide is accessible as the clear pellets. These become cheap in the air in light of the fact that the KOH is hygroscopic. Thus, KOH ordinarily comprises shifting measures of water for example H2O. Moreover, its disintegration in the water (H2O) is incredibly exothermic. Alongside this, the concentrated watery arrangements are ordinarily known as potassium lye. Indeed, even at the overabundance of temperatures. The strong KOH doesn’t promptly dry out.

Preparation and Purification of Potassium Hydroxide

The preparation of potassium hydroxide consists of the electrolysis of the potassium chloride solutions. This process is done by the chloralkali process. This happens with chlorine gas as a by-product:

2 KCl + 2 H2O → 2 KOH + Cl2 + H2.

Uses of Potassium Hydroxide

  • Preparation of salts: It is unequivocally antacid. The potassium hydroxide responds with numerous acids. Moreover, this corrosive base response comes being used for delivering the potassium salts. These salts, thus, have various different applications.
  • Neutralization of Acids: It is used as a soluble base, we use potassium hydroxide for killing causticity and changing the pH of Solutions. Moreover, in the compound examination, it is a significant and important specialist for the titration of the acids for deciding their fixation.
  • Creation of Soaps: The response cycle of the potassium hydroxide with the oils and fats under warming circumstances is an interaction we call saponification. Likewise, this response is valuable for delivering potassium cleansers.
  • Used For manufacturing of liquid fertilizers.

Sample Questions

Question 1: How is potassium hydroxide made?

Answer: 

Potassium hydroxide is made by the electrolysis of an aqueous solution of potassium chloride (KCl). In this process, an electric current decomposes potassium chloride into potassium and chlorine. The chlorine escapes as a gaseous by-product and the potassium reacts with water to form potassium hydroxide.

Question 2: What is lye powder?

Answer: 

Lye” refers to sodium hydroxide ( ), but historically has been used for potassium hydroxide ( ). Nowadays, lye is commercially manufactured using a membrane cell chloralkali process. It is supplied in various forms such as flakes, pellets, microbeads, coarse powder or a solution.

Question 3: What is potassium hydroxide used for?

Answer:

Potassium hydroxide, or caustic potash, is used in many of industries. Potassium carbonate, potassium phosphates, liquid fertilizers, and potassium soaps and detergents are the main uses.

Question 4: What is the common name of potassium hydroxide?

Answer: 

Potassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. Potassium hydroxide solution (KOH aqueous) is a colorless inorganic liquid that acts as a strong base (alkali). KOH solution is also known as caustic potash or potash lye and has many different applications.

Question 5: What are the dangers of using Potassium hydroxide?

Answer: 

Exposure to Potassium hydroxide can cause heavy eye burn, redness, or even swelling. Exposure for a long time can have severe effects, even causing blindness. It is suggested to not be in repeated contact with the compound.


Last Updated : 20 Dec, 2023
Like Article
Save Article
Previous
Next
Share your thoughts in the comments
Similar Reads