Reduction of Potassium Hydroxide

[TheNextTesla]

Does anyone know of any conventional methods of reducing potassium hydroxide to form Potassium metal as an end result? I've just started making a batch of potassium hydroxide, and I was thinking of fun things to do with it. Thanks! Any help is appreciated!

[Sensei]

You could try

KOH+HCl->KCl + H₂O

then evaporate H₂O to get KCl.

KCl heated to high enough temperature will undergo decomposition

2 KCl -> 2K + Cl₂ (g)

Edited December 11, 2016 by Sensei

[TheNextTesla]

Thanks Sensei! This looks like a way easier method of acquiring sodium metal than electrolysis xD! Your help is much appreciated

The only problem is getting it to 2600 degrees F...

[Sensei]

Thanks Sensei! This looks like a way easier method of acquiring sodium metal than electrolysis xD! Your help is much appreciated

The only problem is getting it to 2600 degrees F...

 

IMHO electrolysis is much easier way. You have to heat KCl to melt it.

Then apply high enough voltage... With pretty large current (MIG/MAG/TIG welding equipment?).. And remove produced Chlorine gas...

That's probably hundred dollars, or thousands dollars, investment.

Edited December 12, 2016 by Sensei

[TheNextTesla]

 

IMHO electrolysis is much easier way. You have to heat KCl to melt it.

Then apply high enough voltage... With pretty large current (MIG/MAG/TIG welding equipment?).. And remove produced Chlorine gas...

That's probably hundred dollars, or thousands dollars, investment.

I think I'll try that. I have welding equipment already. Plus, the decomposition temperature of KCl is higher than the boiling point of potassium so that would be kind of difficult

Edited December 12, 2016 by TheNextTesla

[hypervalent_iodine]

Since no one has really mentioned this, I would encourage you not to attempt this unless you have appropriate safety controls in place. Chlorine gas is no joke, and potassium metal is highly pyrophoric. You are setting yourself up for an especially deadly accident if you aren't taking the correct measures.

[TheNextTesla]

Since no one has really mentioned this, I would encourage you not to attempt this unless you have appropriate safety controls in place. Chlorine gas is no joke, and potassium metal is highly pyrophoric. You are setting yourself up for an especially deadly accident if you aren't taking the correct measures.

Thanks for the concern. I understand the safety issues with this, and I've been doing a lot of research on the matter. The area where ill be working is heavily ventilated and I'll be wearing a respirator. I will also be wearing appropriate clothes in case of a fire, and I will be prepared for any Potassium fires. It's good to see that you're warning people of the dangers that their experiments impose. Also, it seems as though I have to be extra prepared for safety issues because I'm only 15, and it seems that there's kind of a taboo for teenagers to be doing experiments like this xD

[hypervalent_iodine]

May I ask how you have prepared for potassium fires? If you are doing this in atmosphere, there is practically a 100% chance of you having one. That is assuming your electrolysis is successful, which is dubious. It won't work if there is water present.

[TheNextTesla]

May I ask how you have prepared for potassium fires? If you are doing this in atmosphere, there is practically a 100% chance of you having one. That is assuming your electrolysis is successful, which is dubious. It won't work if there is water present.

I think I'm going to try and flood the area with argon

[hypervalent_iodine]

I thought your area was heavily ventilated? What sort of vessel are you using? How are you going to dry the KOH or KCl?

[_Rick_]

I think I'll try that. I have welding equipment already. Plus, the decomposition temperature of KCl is higher than the boiling point of potassium so that would be kind of difficult

 

If its just the fact that its a gas and not the ridiculous 2.6k degrees you could hook it up to a metal tube and use it as a condenser.

 

Probably your best bet for managing to do anything is by reacting sodium or lithium with it at a more reasonable temperature. Cody's lab did a pretty good video on this synthesis.

 

[TheNextTesla]

 

If its just the fact that its a gas and not the ridiculous 2.6k degrees you could hook it up to a metal tube and use it as a condenser.

 

Probably your best bet for managing to do anything is by reacting sodium or lithium with it at a more reasonable temperature. Cody's lab did a pretty good video on this synthesis.

 

I love Cody's Lab! Thanks, I didn't know he had this video

I thought your area was heavily ventilated? What sort of vessel are you using? How are you going to dry the KOH or KCl?

Dry it as in removing the solvent?

Edited December 16, 2016 by TheNextTesla

[hypervalent_iodine]

Well yeah, given that your solvent is probably water. And both those compounds are highly hygroscopic, so they will get wet super quickly. Certainly enough to ruin your electrolysis. If you don't know this already, you probably shouldn't be doing it.

[TheNextTesla]

Well yeah, given that your solvent is probably water. And both those compounds are highly hygroscopic, so they will get wet super quickly. Certainly enough to ruin your electrolysis. If you don't know this already, you probably shouldn't be doing it.

Removing water from the crystals won't be hard.. Once I dry them it would take a decent amount of time for them to get wet enough to ruin the electrolysis. Also, if i choose to go about this and melt the crystals, water won't be present after I melt the crystals.

Edited December 17, 2016 by TheNextTesla