Potassium Hydroxide

CAS# 1310-58-3

Product Description

Potassium hydroxide (KOH) is a strong base with various industrial and commercial applications. 

Product:

Potassium Hydroxide

CAS:

1310-58-3

Synonym:

Caustic potash; Potassium hydrate

Structure:

Typical Characteristics

Appearance

White or nearly white pellets, flakes or sticks

Boiling point

1,327 °C

Density

2.04 g/cm3

Melting point

380 °C

Molecular Weight

56.11

Purity

≥ 85 %

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We Offer Potassium Hydroxide
in various grades

A few of the grades available are listed below:

Potassium Hydroxide used in many
industry applications

Potassium hydroxide (KOH) is a strong base with various industrial and commercial applications. Here's a list of some of its uses:

  1. Chemical Manufacturing: Potassium hydroxide is used in the manufacture of potassium salts, such as potassium carbonate, potassium phosphate, and potassium sulfate. It serves as a precursor in the synthesis of numerous organic and inorganic compounds.
  2. Soap and Detergent Production: Potassium hydroxide is used in the saponification process for producing liquid soaps and detergents. It reacts with fatty acids to form potassium salts, which function as surfactants and cleansing agents in cleaning formulations.
  3. Food Processing: Potassium hydroxide is used in the food industry for various applications, including pH adjustment, peeling of fruits and vegetables, and cocoa processing. It is also used in the production of soft drinks, beer, and other food products.
  4. Pharmaceuticals: Potassium hydroxide is used in pharmaceutical manufacturing for the synthesis of certain drugs and pharmaceutical intermediates. It is also employed in the preparation of analytical reagents and laboratory solutions.
  5. Biodiesel Production: Potassium hydroxide is used as a catalyst in the transesterification process for producing biodiesel from vegetable oils or animal fats. It facilitates the conversion of triglycerides into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), the main components of biodiesel fuel.
  6. Electrolyte in Batteries: Potassium hydroxide is used as an electrolyte in alkaline batteries, including nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and zinc-carbon batteries. It conducts ions between the battery electrodes, enabling the flow of electric current.
  7. Chemical Analysis: Potassium hydroxide is used in analytical chemistry for titration and pH adjustment in laboratory experiments. It is also employed in various analytical techniques, such as chromatography and spectroscopy.
  8. Textile Processing: Potassium hydroxide is used in textile processing for mercerizing cotton fibers to improve their strength, luster, and dye affinity. It also aids in the removal of impurities and sizing agents from textile materials.
  9. Water Treatment: Potassium hydroxide is used in water treatment processes for pH adjustment, alkalinity control, and metal precipitation. It is also employed in wastewater treatment to neutralize acidic effluents and remove heavy metals.
  10. Cleaning and Degreasing: Potassium hydroxide is used as a cleaning agent and degreaser for removing organic contaminants, grease, and carbonaceous residues from surfaces. It is commonly used in industrial cleaning applications and household cleaning products.