What is Potassium Hydroxide?
The potassium hydroxide is a popular inorganic base and other names for chemical compound are potash lye or caustic potash etc. The chemical formula for the compound could be written as KOH and a molecular weight is measured 56.11 g/mol. The chemical structure of the molecule is also given below where one potassium cation combines with hydroxyl anion effectively to form KOH.
Potassium Hydroxide Structure
The solid KOH has crystalline structure and very much similar to sodium chloride in properties.
Potassium Hydroxide chemical Formula
Further, this is necessary to learn how can you prepare KOH for industrial usage. Here, you need to combine KCl and water together to give potassium hydroxide in the end. The electrolysis process of KCl with chlorine gas is given as below -:
\( 2KCl + 2H_2O \to 2KOH + Cl_12 + H2 \)
Potassium Hydroxide Properties
Let us have a quick look at the physical properties of compound ahead where it is clear that KOH is a white solid compound with a density of 2.12 g/mL and a melting point of 1,327 degree Celsius. It can be used as transparent pellets or as an aqueous solution at different concentrations.
By looking at the chemical properties of the compound, this is clear that it absorbs water and moisture quickly from the air due to its hygroscopic properties. It is thermally stable and does not decompose even when exposed to the high temperature. It combines with water to form strong alkaline solutions and KOH in the aqueous form. Also, it reacts with acids readily to form potassium salts with vast uses in industries.