What is Potassium hydroxide?
[[File:Potassium hydroxide.jpg|thumb|Potassium hydroxide pellets]] '''Potassium hydroxide''' is a [[chemical compound]]. Its chemical formula is KOH. It contains [[potassium]] and [[hydroxide]] [[ion]]s. ==Properties== It is a white powder. It dissolves easily in water to make a [[base (chemistry)|basic]] solution. It is [[corrosive]] to skin. It reacts with [[acid]]s to give potassium [[salt]]s. It is less common than [[sodium hydroxide]]. About 700,000 tons are made each year. It is hygroscopic, meaning that it absorbs water from the air and forms a solution. It is very hard to get the water out again. It releases heat when it is dissolved in water, similar to sodium hydroxide. It gradually reacts with [[carbon dioxide]] in the air to form [[potassium carbonate]]. It melts easily. It feels greasy when it gets on the skin because it makes soap from the fat in your skin. It is made when [[potassium]] reacts with water. ==Preparation== It is made by [[electrolysis]] of a [[potassium chloride]] [[solution]]. It can also be made by reacting [[calcium hydroxide]] with [[potassium carbonate]]. The [[calcium carbonate]] precipitates and is filtered, leaving potassium hydroxide. ==Uses== It is used to make [[soap]]. It is also used in [[organic chemistry]]. It can be used to make [[fertilizer]]s and other [[potassium compounds]]. It is used to make [[diesel]] from plants. It is used in [[alkaline cell]]s and [[nicad]]s as an [[electrolyte]]. It can be used to identify [[mushroom]]s. ==Related pages== *[[Sodium]] *[[Sodium carbonate]] *[[Bicarbonate]] [[Category:Potassium compounds]]