potassium peroxide Property

Melting point:

490°C

Density 

>1 g/cm3

solubility 

reacts with H2O

form 

yellow amorphous solid

color 

yellow amorphous solid

Water Solubility 

decomposed by H2O [HAW93]

CAS DataBase Reference

17014-71-0

EPA Substance Registry System

Dipotassium peroxide (17014-71-0)

Safety

RIDADR 

UN 1491 5.1/ PGI

HazardClass 

5.1

PackingGroup 

I

Hazardous Substances Data

17014-71-0(Hazardous Substances Data)

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

Symbol(GHS)

Signal word

Warning

Hazard statements

H272May intensify fire; oxidizer

H315Causes skin irritation

Precautionary statements

P210Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. — No smoking.

P220Keep/Store away from clothing/…/combustible materials.

P264Wash hands thoroughly after handling.

P264Wash skin thouroughly after handling.

P280Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.

P302+P352IF ON SKIN: wash with plenty of soap and water.

P321Specific treatment (see … on this label).

P332+P313IF SKIN irritation occurs: Get medical advice/attention.

P362Take off contaminated clothing and wash before reuse.

P370+P378In case of fire: Use … for extinction.

P501Dispose of contents/container to..…

potassium peroxide Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Preparation

Potassium peroxides have been prepared by carefully controlled oxidation of the metals with the exact amount of air or nitric oxide, but it is difficult to prepare the pure peroxides in this manner because of the ease with which the peroxides are oxidized to the superoxide. They can also be prepared by careful oxidation of liquid ammonia solutions of the metals, using the stoichiometric quantity of oxygen for peroxide formation. They can also be prepared by the thermal decomposition of the superoxides in vacuum; for example, potassium superoxide decomposes at about 400°C.

Chemical Properties

yellow amorphous mass; decomposes in water, evolving oxygen; oxidizing agent; used for bleaching, in oxygen generating gas masks [HAW93]

Uses

Oxidizing agent, bleaching agent, oxygen- generating gas masks.

General Description

A yellow granular solid. Mixtures of potassium peroxide and combustible material readily ignited by friction, heat or contact with moisture. Prolonged exposure to fire or heat may cause vigorous decomposition of the material and rupture of the container. Used as a bleach.

Air & Water Reactions

Reacts exothermically with water (or moisture in the air) to give oxygen and a caustic solution, potassium hydroxide [NFPA 491M] .

Reactivity Profile

potassium peroxide is a strong oxidizing agent. Reacts readily with reducing agents, including most organic compounds, to generate heat and products that may be gaseous (causing pressurization of closed containers). The products may themselves be capable of further reactions (such as combustion in the air). A quantity left on a piece of paper in the open air usually starts a fire in the paper spontaneously in a few minutes [Freeman].

Hazard

Dangerous fire and explosion risk in con- tact with organic materials, strong oxidizing agent. Irritant to skin and tissue.

Health Hazard

Inhalation causes respiratory irritation. Ingestion causes severe burns of mouth and stomach. Contact with eyes or skin causes irritation and caustic burns.

Fire Hazard

Behavior in Fire: Increases intensity of fire and can start fires when in contact with organic combustibles

Safety Profile

Dangerous fire hazard by spontaneous chemical reaction. It is a very powerful oxidzer. Fires of this material should be handled like sodurn peroxide fires. Moderate explosion hazard by spontaneous chemical reaction. Explodes on contact with water, forming H2O2 and KOH. Violent reactions with air, Sb, As, O2 , K. Vigorous reaction on contact with reducing materials. On contact with acid or acid fumes, it can emit toxic fumes. Incompatible with carbon, diselenium dichloride, ethanol, hydrocarbons, metals. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of K2O . See also PEROXIDES, E INORGANIC.