Potassium Hydroxide

Synonyms: Caustic potash; E525; kalii hydroxidum; kalium hydroxydatum; potash lye; potassium hydrate.

Description: Potassium hydroxide occurs as a white or nearly white fused mass. It is available in small pellets, flakes, sticks and other shapes or forms. It is hard and brittle and shows a crystalline fracture. Potassium hydroxide is hygroscopic and deliquescent; on exposure to air, it rapidly absorbs carbon dioxide and water with the formation of potassium carbonate.

Chemical Name: Potassium hydroxide

Alkalizing agent

• Potassium hydroxide is widely used in pharmaceutical formulations to adjust the pH of solutions.

• It can also be used to react with weak acids to form salts.

• Therapeutically, potassium hydroxide is used in various dermatological applications.

Potassium hydroxide is a strong base and is incompatible with any compound that readily undergoes hydrolysis or oxidation. It should not be stored in glass or aluminum containers, and will react with acids, esters, and ethers, especially in aqueous solution.

Potassium hydroxide is widely used in the pharmaceutical and food industries and is generally regarded as a nontoxic material at low concentrations. At high concentrations it is a corrosive irritant to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.

Potassium hydroxide is a corrosive irritant to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. The solid and solutions cause burns, often with deep ulceration. It is very toxic on ingestion and harmful on inhalation. Observe normal handling precautions appropriate to the quantity and concentration of material handled. Gloves, eye protection, respirator, and other protective clothing should be worn.

Sodium hydroxide.