Safety data for potassium hydroxide
Click here for data on potassium hydroxide in
student-friendly format,
from the HSci project
Click here for data on potassium hydroxide in
student-friendly format,
from the HSci project
The information on this web page is provided to help you to work safely, but it is intended to be an overview of hazards, not a replacement for a full Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). MSDS forms can be downloaded from the web sites of many chemical suppliers.
Toxicity data
Irritation data
Risk phrases
Safety phrases
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This information was last updated on August 22, 2005.
We have tried to make it as accurate and useful as possible,
but can take no responsibility for its use, misuse, or accuracy.
We have not verified this information, and cannot guarantee that
it is up-to-date.
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for it. General
Synonyms: caustic potash, Lye, potassium hydrate
Molecular formula: KOH
CAS No: 1310-58-3
EC No: 215-181-3
Physical data
Appearance: white crystals, flakes, sticks or pellets
Melting point: 360 C
Boiling point: 1320 C
Vapour density:
Vapour pressure:
Density (g cm-3): 2.04
Flash point:
Explosion limits:
Autoignition temperature:
Water solubility: high Stability
Stable, but very hygroscopic. Dissolves exothermically in water.
Incompatible with most metals, strong acids, acid chlorides, organic materials,
zinc, aluminium, nitroalkanes, nitrobenzene, chlorine dioxide. Reacts vigorously
with a wide variety of other materials. Readily absorbs water and carbon dioxide
from the air.
Toxicology
Corrosive - may cause serious burns. Harmful by ingestion,
inhalation and in contact with skin. If the solid or solution
comes into contact with the eyes, serious eye damage may result.
(The meaning of any abbreviations which appear in this section is given
here.)
ORL-RAT LD50 365 mg kg-1
(The meaning of any abbreviations which appear in this section is given
here.)
SKN-HMN 50mg/24h sev
SKN-RBT 50mg/24h/sev
EYE-RBT 1mg/24h/rinse mod
SKN-GPG 50mg/24h/sev
(The meaning of any risk phrases which appear in this section is given
here.)
R20 R21 R22 R35 R41.
Transport information
(The meaning of any UN hazard codes which appear in this section
is given
here.)
UN No 1813. Packing group II. Hazard class 8.
Personal protection
Safety glasses, adequate ventilation.
(The meaning of any safety phrases which appear in this section is given
here.)
S26 S36 S37 S39 S45.