Monograph number: 7806
Title: Potassium Hydroxide.
CAS Registry number: [1310-58-3]
Additional name(s): Potassium hydrate; caustic potash; potassa.
Molecular formula: HKO
Molecular weight: 56.11
Composition: H 1.80%, K 69.69%, O 28.52%.
Line formula: KOH.
Literature references: Prepd industrially by electrolysis of potassium chloride: Faith, Keyes Clark's Industrial Chemicals, F. A. Lowenheim, M. K. Moran, Eds. (Wiley-Interscience, New York, 4th ed., 1975) pp 674-678. Toxicity: H. F. Smyth et al., Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 30, 470 (1969).
Properties: White or slightly yellow lumps, rods, pellets. Very caustic to tissue. Rapidly absorbs moisture and CO2 from the air and deliquesces. mp about 360 deg; mp 380 deg when anhydr. Sol in 0.9 part water, about 0.6 part boiling water, 3 parts alcohol, 2.5 parts glycerol. When dissolved in water or alcohol or when the soln is treated with an acid, much heat is generated. Keep tightly closed and do not handle with bare hands. A 0.1M aq soln has a pH of 13.5. LD50 orally in rats: 1.23 g/kg (Smyth).
Melting point: 360; 380
Caution: Extremely corrosive. Ingestion may produce violent pain in throat and epigastrium, hematemesis, collapse. If not immediately fatal, stricture of esophagus may develop, cf. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products, R. E. Gosselin et al., Eds. (Williams Wilkins, Baltimore, 4th ed., 1976) Section III, pp 206-212.
USE: Manuf liq soap; mordant for wood; absorbing CO2; mercerizing cotton; paint and varnish removers; electroplating,photoengraving and lithography; printing inks; in analytical chemistry and in organic syntheses. Pharmaceutic aid (alkalizer).
THERAP CAT (VET): Caustic. In disbudding calves' horns. In aq solution to dissolve scales and hair in skin scrapings.
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