Where is potassium hydroxide used? Potassium hydroxide formula. Brief characteristics of potassium hydroxide

Chemical properties

Reaction with acids to form salt and water (neutralization reaction):

texvc not found; See math/README for setup help.): \mathsf(KOH + HCl \longrightarrow KCl + H_2O) Unable to parse expression (Executable file texvc not found; See math/README for setup help.): \mathsf(2KOH + H_2SO_4 \longrightarrow \ K_2SO_4 + 2H_2O)

Reaction with acid oxides to form salt and water:

Unable to parse expression (Executable file texvc not found; See math/README for setup help.): \mathsf(2KOH + CO_2 \longrightarrow \K_2CO_3 + H_2O) Unable to parse expression (Executable file texvc not found; See math/README for setup help.): \mathsf(2KOH + SO_3 \longrightarrow \ K_2SO_4 + H_2O)

Reaction with certain non-transition metals in solution to form a complex salt and hydrogen:

Unable to parse expression (Executable file texvc not found; See math/README for setup help.): \mathsf(2Al + 2KOH + 6H_2O \longrightarrow 2K + 3H_2 \uparrow)

Potassium hydroxide is also prepared by electrolysis of KCl solutions, usually using , which gives a high-purity product that does not contain chloride impurities:

Unable to parse expression (Executable file texvc not found; See math/README for setup help.): \mathsf(2KCl + 2H_2O \longrightarrow 2KOH + H_2 \uparrow + Cl_2 \uparrow )

Application

Potassium hydroxide is an almost universal chemical compound. Below are examples of materials and processes in which it is used:

Also used to produce methane, absorb acid gases, and detect certain cations in solutions.

A popular product in the production of cosmetic products, when it reacts with fatty oils, it breaks down and saponifies the oils.

In zirconium production it is used to produce defluorinated zirconium hydroxide.

Production

On an industrial scale, potassium hydroxide is produced by electrolysis of potassium chloride.

There are three options for electrolysis:

electrolysis with a solid asbestos cathode (diaphragm production method),
electrolysis with a polymer cathode (membrane production method),
electrolysis with a liquid mercury cathode (mercury production method).

Among the electrochemical production methods, the easiest and most convenient method is electrolysis with a mercury cathode, but this method causes significant harm to the environment as a result of evaporation and leakage of metallic mercury. The membrane production method is the most effective, but also the most complex.

While the diaphragm and mercury methods have been known since 1885 and 1892, respectively, the membrane method appeared relatively recently - in the 1970s.

The main trend in the global production of potassium hydroxide over the past 10 years has been the transition of manufacturers to the membrane electrolysis method. Mercury electrolysis is outdated, economically unprofitable and has a negative impact on environment technology. Membrane electrolysis completely eliminates the use of . The environmental safety of the membrane method lies in the fact that wastewater, after purification, is fed back into the technological cycle and is not discharged into the sewer system.

When using this method, the following tasks are solved:

the stage of liquefaction and evaporation of chlorine is excluded,
Hydrogen is used for process steam, gas emissions of chlorine and its compounds are eliminated.

The world leader in the field of membrane technologies is the Japanese company Asahi Kasei.

In Russia, the production of potassium hydroxide is carried out using mercury (ZP KCCHK) and diaphragm (Soda-Chlorate) methods.

A peculiarity of the technological design of the production of potassium hydroxide is the fact that similar electrolysis plants can produce both caustic potash and caustic soda. This allows manufacturers, without significant capital investments, to switch to the production of potassium hydroxide instead of caustic soda, the production of which is not so profitable, and sales in last years becomes more complicated. Moreover, in case of changes in the market, a painless transfer of electrolysers to the production of a previously produced product is possible.

An example of the transfer of part of the capacity from the production of sodium hydroxide to potassium hydroxide is OJSC Polymer Plant KCHKhK, which began industrial production of caustic potash using five electrolyzers in 2007.

Danger

Excerpt characterizing Potassium Hydroxide

There was a knock on the door - Caraffa was standing on the threshold...
– How did you rest, dear Isidora? I hope your daughter's proximity has not caused any trouble to your sleep?
– Thank you for your concern, Your Holiness! I slept surprisingly well! Apparently, it was Anna’s closeness that calmed me down. Will I be able to communicate with my daughter today?
He was radiant and fresh, as if he had already broken me, as if his biggest dream had already come true... I hated his confidence in himself and his victory! Even if he had every reason for this... Even if I knew that very soon, by the will of this crazy Pope, I would leave forever... I was not going to give in to him so easily - I wanted to fight. Until my last breath, until the last minute allotted to me on Earth...
- So what did you decide, Isidora? – Dad asked cheerfully. – As I told you earlier, this determines how soon you will see Anna. I hope you won't force me to take the most brutal measures? Your daughter deserves her life not to end so early, isn’t it? She really is very talented, Isidora. And I sincerely would not want to cause her harm.
– I thought you had known me long enough, Your Holiness, to understand that threats will not change my decision... Even the most terrible ones. I may die without being able to bear the pain. But I will never betray what I live for. Forgive me, Holiness.
Karaffa looked at me with all his eyes, as if he had heard something not entirely reasonable, which surprised him very much.
– And you won’t feel sorry for your beautiful daughter?! Yes, you are more fanatical than me, Madonna!..
Having exclaimed this, Caraffa stood up abruptly and left. And I sat there, completely numb. Not feeling my heart, and not being able to hold back my racing thoughts, as if all my remaining strength was spent on this short negative answer.
I knew that this was the end... That now he would take on Anna. And I wasn’t sure if I could survive to endure all this. I didn’t have the strength to think about revenge... I didn’t have the strength to think about anything at all... My body was tired and didn’t want to resist anymore. Apparently, this was the limit, after which a “different” life began.
I really wanted to see Anna!.. To hug her at least once goodbye!.. To feel her raging strength, and to tell her once again how much I love her...
And then, turning around at the noise at the door, I saw her! My girl stood straight and proud, like a stiff reed that an approaching hurricane is trying to break.
- Well, talk to your daughter, Isidora. Maybe she can bring at least some common sense into your lost mind! I give you one hour to meet. And try to come to your senses, Isidora. Otherwise, this meeting will be your last...
Karaffa did not want to play anymore. His life was put on the scales. Just like the life of my dear Anna. And if the second did not matter to him, then for the first (for his own) he was ready to do anything.
– Mommy!.. – Anna stood at the door, unable to move. “Mom, dear, how can we destroy him?.. We won’t be able to, Mommy!”
Jumping up from the chair, I ran to my only treasure, my girl, and, grabbing her in my arms, squeezed as hard as I could...
“Oh, mommy, you’ll choke me like that!” Anna laughed loudly.
And my soul absorbed this laughter, like a person sentenced to death absorbs the warm farewell rays of the already setting sun...
- Well, mommy, we’re still alive!.. We can still fight!.. You told me yourself that you’ll fight as long as you’re alive... So let’s think about whether we can do something . Can we rid the world of this Evil.
She supported me again with her courage!.. Again she found the right words...
This sweet, brave girl, almost a child, could not even imagine what kind of torture Caraffa could subject her to! In what brutal pain her soul could drown... But I knew... I knew everything that awaited her if I did not meet him halfway. If I don’t agree to give the Pope the only thing he wanted.
- My dear, my heart... I won’t be able to look at your torment... I won’t give you to him, my girl! The North and others like him don’t care who will remain in this LIFE... So why should we be different?.. Why should you and I care about someone else’s, someone else’s fate?!.
I myself was frightened by my words... although in my heart I perfectly understood that they were caused simply by the hopelessness of our situation. And, of course, I was not going to betray what I lived for... For which my father and my poor Girolamo died. Simply, just for a moment, I wanted to believe that we could just pick up and leave this terrible, “black” Karaffa world, forgetting about everything... forgetting about other people unfamiliar to us. Forgetting about evil...
It was a momentary weakness of a tired person, but I understood that I had no right to allow even that. And then, to top it all off, apparently unable to withstand the violence any longer, burning angry tears streamed down my face... But I tried so hard not to let this happen!.. I tried not to show my sweet girl into what depths of despair my exhausted, pain-torn soul...
Anna sadly looked at me with her huge gray eyes, in which lived a deep, not at all childish sadness... She quietly stroked my hands, as if wanting to calm me down. And my heart screamed, not wanting to humble myself... Not wanting to lose her. She was the only remaining meaning to my failed life. And I couldn’t allow the nonhumans called the Pope to take it away from me!
“Mommy, don’t worry about me,” Anna whispered, as if reading my thoughts. - I'm not afraid of pain. But even if it was very painful, grandfather promised to pick me up. I spoke to him yesterday. He will wait for me if you and I fail... And dad too. They will both be there waiting for me. But it will be very painful to leave you... I love you so much, mommy!..
Anna hid in my arms, as if seeking protection... But I couldn’t protect her... I couldn’t save her. I didn't find the "key" to Karaffa...
- Forgive me, my sunshine, I let you down. I failed us both... I couldn't find a way to destroy him. Forgive me, Annushka...
An hour passed unnoticed. We talked about different things, without returning to the murder of the Pope, since we both knew perfectly well that today we had lost... And it didn’t matter what we wanted... Caraffa lived, and that was the worst and most important thing. We have failed to free our world from it. Failed to save good people. He lived, despite any attempts, no desires. Despite everything...
– Just don’t give in to him, mommy!.. I beg you, just don’t give up! I know how hard it is for you. But we will all be with you. He has no right to live long! He's a killer! And even if you agree to give him what he wants, he will still destroy us. Don't agree, mom!!!
The door opened, and Karaffa stood on the threshold again. But now he seemed very unhappy about something. And I could roughly guess what... Caraffa was no longer confident in his victory. This worried him, since he only had this last chance left.
- So, what have you decided, Madonna?
I mustered all my courage not to show how my voice was trembling, and said quite calmly:
– I have already answered this question to you so many times, Holiness! What could have changed in such a short time?
There was a feeling of fainting, but, looking into Anna’s eyes shining with pride, all the bad things suddenly disappeared somewhere... How bright and beautiful my daughter was at that terrible moment!..
-Are you crazy, Madonna! Can you really just send your daughter to the basement?.. You know perfectly well what awaits her there! Come to your senses, Isidora!..
Suddenly, Anna came close to Karaffa and said in a clear, ringing voice:
– You are not a judge and not God!.. You are just a sinner! That is why the Ring of Sinners burns your dirty fingers!.. I think it is not by chance that you are wearing it... For you are the most vile of them! You won't scare me, Caraffa. And my mother will never submit to you!
Anna straightened up and... spat in Dad's face. Caraffa turned deathly pale. I've never seen anyone turn pale so quickly! His face literally turned ashen gray in a split second... and death flashed in his burning dark eyes. Still standing in a “tetanus” from Anna’s unexpected behavior, I suddenly understood everything - she was deliberately provoking Karaffa so as not to delay!.. In order to quickly decide something and not torment me. To go to her own death... My soul was wracked with pain - Anna reminded me of the girl Damiana... She decided her fate... and I couldn’t help. I couldn't intervene.

In total, there are three classes of inorganic compounds in nature: salts, oxides and hydroxides. Also, substances such as CI2, I2 and the like, consisting of only one chemical element, are classified into a separate class.

Classification of hydroxides

It is one of three existing classes of inorganic compounds. They are divided into acids, bases and amphoteric substances. The former consist of a H+ cation and an anion in the form of an acidic residue, for example, CI-. The structure of the latter includes a cation of a metal, for example, Ca+, as well as an anion in the form of a hydroxyl group OH-. The latter are characterized by the fact that they simultaneously have chemical properties inherent in acids and bases. Such hydroxides include compounds of aluminum and iron. Bases, like other inorganic substances, can be divided into groups depending on their chemical activity. The strongest in this regard are considered to be potassium and sodium hydroxide, which are also called alkalis. They quickly react with various substances.

Physical properties

This substance under normal conditions (at room temperature and low pressure) it remains in a solid state of aggregation. It looks like small crystals that are colorless and odorless, highly soluble in water. These crystals have extremely high hygroscopicity. Staying in the open air for a long time, they blur and turn into a solution, absorbing moisture from the atmosphere. The same phenomenon is observed with sodium hydroxide, whose hygroscopicity is even higher.

Other names for potassium hydroxide

In common parlance, this substance is called caustic potassium, as well as caustic potash and potassium lye.

Chemical properties

The substance in question has all the features that are characteristic of bases. Its alkaline properties are very pronounced, like those of sodium hydroxide. When potassium hydroxide burns, the oxide of this metal and water are released. K2O has a light yellow color.

Interaction with salts

Salts are substances consisting of a metal cation and an anion represented by an acid residue. They are formed mainly by the interaction of active metals with acids. A substitution reaction occurs in which, in addition to the salt, hydrogen is formed, which is released in the form of a gas. When reacting with substances of this class, another salt containing potassium is formed, as well as a hydroxide of some metal. For example, when this substance interacts with copper chloride, copper hydroxide and potassium chloride are formed, which precipitate. In order to carry out this kind of reaction, it is necessary to take alkali and copper chloride in such proportions that for two molecules of the first substance there is one of the second, that is, the ratio of the resulting substances will be as follows: for one molecule of cuprum hydroxide, two potassium chloride. This kind of interaction is called exchange reactions. In order for them to take place, the following conditions must be met: one of the reaction products must either precipitate, evaporate in the form of a gas, or become water. The metal included in the salt must be less chemically active than potassium (all except lithium).

Reactions with acids

All bases, including potassium hydroxide, are capable of reacting with acids. The most common and frequently used reaction is one that involves the substance in question and sulfuric acid. In this case, potassium hydroxide is needed in such a quantity that for one molecule of acid there are two of this compound. In this type of reaction, substances such as potassium sulfate and water are formed in a molar ratio of one to two. A similar chemical process is actively used in industry, since the resulting product is widely used everywhere.

What happens if you add it to the oxide?

In this case, essentially an exchange reaction will also occur. For example, if you mix potassium hydroxide and iron dioxide in a molar ratio of two to one, you can get ferum hydroxide (II), which precipitates in a dark green precipitate, as well as potassium oxide in such proportions that for one molecule of the first substance there will be one of the second .

Main methods for producing potassium hydroxide

In industry, it is most often extracted by electrolysis of a solution of potassium chloride. The production of potassium hydroxide is a process in which, in addition to the extracted substance, H 2 and CI 2 are formed.

Industrial use

This substance is mainly used in the production of soap and other cleaning products. This process involves the reaction of the compound in question with some fat. Sodium hydroxide can also be used for the same purpose. Also, the substance discussed in this article is widely used in the chemical industry to produce various potassium compounds, primarily its sulfate.

The reaction in which it is formed was discussed above. In the same area, it is used as a compound that absorbs gases such as hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide. It also acts as a desiccant due to its high hygroscopic properties. It can be used to determine the concentration level of acids in a solution. In addition, hydroxide is also used in the food industry. Here it is used as a food additive E525. It acts as an acidity regulator. You can find it in cocoa, chocolate and other similar products. Potassium hydroxide is used in the processing of cellulose to produce viscose, used in alkaline batteries, added to dishwashing detergents or cleaning various surfaces, to treat cotton fabric and make it more hygroscopic.

Potassium compounds obtained from its hydroxide and their uses

Most often, the substance in question is used to extract potassium sulfate, which is used as a fertilizer. They feed plants during the growing season. It is also used as an emulsifier in the food industry - it makes it possible to obtain a homogeneous mass consisting of components that do not mix under normal conditions. To designate it, use the marking E515. It can also, like potassium hydroxide, act as an acidity regulator. Sulfate is often used as a salt substitute. In addition, this substance finds its use in pharmacology in the production of dietary supplements, as well as in the manufacture of dyes. In addition, it is also used in the glass industry.

Potassium hydroxide and the human body

In the form of a concentrated solution, this chemical compound is dangerous to living organisms. Contact with skin or mucous membranes can cause serious damage. A concentrated solution of potassium hydroxide causes more severe burns than acids. It is also capable of dissolving many organic compounds. This substance belongs to the second hazard class, that is, when working with it, special rules must be followed. Excessive amounts of potassium hydroxide in the body leads to the emergence of new skin diseases or exacerbation of chronic ones.

Kali caustic

KOH

Potassium hydroxide- an inorganic compound with the formula KOH.

Trivial names: caustic potassium, caustic potash, as well as potassium oxide hydrate, potassium hydroxide, potassium alkali, potassium lye.

Colorless, very hygroscopic crystals, but less hygroscopic than sodium hydroxide. Aqueous solutions of KOH are highly alkaline. It is obtained by electrolysis of KCl solutions and is used in the production of liquid soaps to obtain various potassium compounds.

Chemical properties

Reaction with acids to form salt and water (neutralization reaction):

Interaction with acid oxides to form salt and water:

Reaction with some non-transition metals in solution to form a complex salt and hydrogen:

Potassium hydroxide is obtained by electrolysis of KCl solutions, usually using mercury cathodes, which gives a high-purity product that does not contain chloride impurities:

Application

Potassium hydroxide is an almost universal chemical compound. Below are examples of materials and processes in which it is used:

neutralization of acids,
alkaline elements,
catalysis
detergents,
drilling fluids,
dyes,
fertilizers,
food production,
gas cleaning,
metallurgical production,
oil refining,
various organic and inorganic substances,
paper production,
pesticides,
pharmaceuticals,
pH regulation,
potassium carbonate and other potassium compounds,
soap,
synthetic rubber

In the food industry it is designated as a food additive E525. Used as an acidity regulator, desiccant and peeler for vegetables, roots and fruits. It is also used as a catalyst in some reactions. In the Russian Federation it is allowed in cocoa and chocolate products in quantities up to 70 g/kg of dry fat-free matter, and is also allowed in other products in quantities according to the technological instructions. Also used to produce methane, absorb acid gases, and detect certain cations in solutions.

A popular product in the production of cosmetic products, when it reacts with fatty oils, it breaks down and saponifies the oils.

In zirconium production it is used to produce defluorinated zirconium hydroxide.

In the field of industrial washing, products based on potassium hydroxide, heated to 50-60 ° C, are used to clean stainless steel products from grease and other oily substances, as well as mechanical processing residues.

Used as an electrolyte in alkaline (alkaline) batteries.

It is also used in resomation - an alternative method of “burying” bodies.

A 5% solution of potassium hydroxide is used in medicine to treat warts.

In photography it is used as a component of developers, toners, thiosulfate indicators and to remove emulsion from photographic materials.

Production

On an industrial scale, potassium hydroxide is produced by electrolysis of potassium chloride.

There are three options for electrolysis:

electrolysis with a solid asbestos cathode (diaphragm production method),
electrolysis with a polymer cathode (membrane production method),
electrolysis with a liquid mercury cathode (mercury production method).

While the diaphragm and mercury methods have been known since 1885 and 1892, respectively, the membrane method appeared relatively recently - in the 1970s.

The main trend in the global production of potassium hydroxide over the past 10 years has been the transition of manufacturers to the membrane electrolysis method. Mercury electrolysis is an outdated, economically unprofitable and environmentally harmful technology. Membrane electrolysis completely eliminates the use of mercury. The environmental safety of the membrane method lies in the fact that after purification, wastewater is fed back into the technological cycle and is not discharged into the sewer system.

When using this method, the following tasks are solved:

the stage of liquefaction and evaporation of chlorine is eliminated,
Hydrogen is used for process steam, gas emissions of chlorine and its compounds are eliminated.

The world leader in the field of membrane technologies is the Japanese company Asahi Kasei.

In Russia, the production of potassium hydroxide is carried out using mercury (ZP KCCHK) and diaphragm (Soda-Chlorate) methods.

A peculiarity of the technological design of the production of potassium hydroxide is the fact that similar electrolysis plants can produce both caustic potash and caustic soda. This allows manufacturers, without significant capital investments, to switch to the production of potassium hydroxide instead of caustic soda, the production of which is not so profitable, and whose marketing has become more difficult in recent years. Moreover, in case of changes in the market, a painless transfer of electrolysers to the production of a previously produced product is possible.

Danger

Very strong alkali. In its pure form it has a cauterizing effect on the skin and mucous membranes. Getting even the smallest particles of potassium hydroxide into the eyes is especially dangerous, so all work with this substance should be carried out with rubber gloves and goggles. Potassium hydroxide destroys paper, leather and other materials of organic origin.

DEFINITION

Potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) is a white solid (Fig. 1). Very hygroscopic, melts and boils without decomposition.

It dissolves well in water with a strong exo-effect and creates a highly alkaline environment.

Rice. 1. Potassium hydroxide. Appearance.

The main characteristics of potassium hydroxide are given in the table below:

Preparation of potassium hydroxide

The main method for producing potassium hydroxide is electrolysis of an aqueous solution of potassium chloride. During electrolysis, hydrogen ions are discharged at the cathode and, at the same time, potassium ions and hydroxide ions accumulate near the cathode, i.e. potassium hydroxide is obtained; Chlorine is released at the anode.

2KCl + 2H 2 O = H 2 + Cl 2 + 2KOH.

Chemical properties of potassium hydroxide

Potassium hydroxide reacts with acids to form salts and water (neutralization reaction):

KOH + HCl = KCl + H 2 O;

2 KOH + H 2 SO 4 = K 2 SO 4 + H 2 O.

A solution of potassium hydroxide changes the color of the indicators, for example, when litmus, phenolphthalein or methyl orange are added to a solution of this alkali, their color will become blue, crimson and yellow, respectively.

Potassium hydroxide reacts with salt solutions (if they contain a metal capable of forming an insoluble base) and acidic oxides:

Fe 2 (SO 4) 3 + 6KOH = 2Fe(OH) 3 ↓ + 3K 2 SO 4;

2KOH + CO 2 = K 2 CO 3 + H 2 O.

Applications of potassium hydroxide

Potassium hydroxide is widely used in various industries National economy. Thus, it is used in the dyeing industry, the production of household chemicals, fertilizers, paper, pesticides, in the pharmacy and food industry, organic and inorganic synthesis, etc.

Examples of problem solving

EXAMPLE 1

Exercise

Calculate the mass of potassium hydroxide that can react with a concentrated solution of hydrochloric acid with a volume of 300 ml (mass fraction of HCl 34%, density 1.168 kg/l).

Solution

Let's write the reaction equation:

KOH + HCl = KCl + H 2 O.

Let's find the mass of the hydrochloric acid solution, as well as the mass of the dissolved substance HCl in it:

m solution =V solution × ρ;

m solution =0.3 × 1.168 = 0.3504 kg = 350.4 g.

ω = m solute / m solution × 100%;

m solute = ω / 100% ×m solution ;

m solute (HCl) = ω (HCl) / 100% ×m solution;

m solute (HCl) = 34 / 100% × 350.4 = 11.91 g.

Let's calculate the number of moles of hydrochloric acid (molar mass is 36.5 g/mol):

n(HCl) = m(HCl) / M(HCl);

n(HCl) = 11.91 / 36.5 = 0.34 mol.

According to the reaction equation n (HCl) : n (KOH) = 1: 1. This means

n(KOH) = n(HCl) = 0.34 mol.

Then the mass of potassium hydroxide that entered into the reaction will be equal to (molar mass - 56 g/mol):

m (KOH) = n (KOH)× M (KOH);

m (KOH) = 0.34 × 56 = 19.04 g.

Answer

The mass of potassium hydroxide is 19.04 g.

Potassium hydroxide is an alkali, which in the food industry is called additive E525.

Other common names for potassium hydroxide are potassium hydroxide, caustic potash, potassium lye, caustic potassium, potassium hydrate, caustic potash, potassium hydroxide.

The use of potassium hydroxide as a food additive is permitted in the EU countries, Russia, and Ukraine.

Properties of potassium hydroxide

Externally, potassium hydroxide appears as crystalline, colorless rods, balls, and flakes.

Additive E525 melts at a temperature of 404 °C, quickly absorbs moisture and therefore requires special storage conditions, dissolves in methanol, ethanol and water.

Potassium hydroxide can dissolve organic materials.

Potassium hydroxide is produced by electrolysis of a potassium chlorine solution. The substance is exposed to a polymer, asbestos or mercury cathode. The last method is used most often, although the first two methods of producing potassium hydroxide, which do not use mercury, are considered safer.

Additive E525 is considered strong substance, which reacts violently with tin, aluminum, zinc, lead and acids.

The food industry uses this property of potassium hydroxide as its ability to influence the acidity of products. Essentially, the E525 additive is an acidity regulator.

Applications of potassium hydroxide

If we take into account exclusively food industry, then here, most often, E525 is used by manufacturers of chocolate, cocoa and products made from them.

In addition, potassium hydroxide can be found in baby food products and is used to treat frozen potatoes.

Potassium lye can be used as an aid in the production of vegetable and fruit products - the substance is used to clean fruits, vegetables and root vegetables.

In the cosmetics industry, potassium hydroxide is used to produce shampoos, soaps, bleaches, and shaving products.

Harm of potassium hydroxide

When working in production with the E525 additive, we must not forget that it is still an alkali, which belongs to the second class of danger. Potassium hydroxide can corrode skin and mucous membranes, causing chemical burns. Excess potassium hydroxide, that is, prolonged contact with the substance provokes the appearance of chronic skin diseases.

Severe precautions must be taken in industries using potassium hydroxide. Contact of alkali with human eyes is especially dangerous - cases of complete loss of vision have been recorded.