POTASSIUM SODIUM ALLOY Property

Melting point:

6,8°C

Boiling point:

813°C

Density 

0.87 g/mL at 25 °C

vapor pressure 

0 mm Hg ( 20 °C)

form 

liquid

Specific Gravity

0.855

Sensitive 

air sensitive, moisture sensitive

EPA Substance Registry System

Potassium alloy, nonbase, K,Na (11135-81-2)

Safety

Hazard Codes 

F,C

Risk Statements 

11-14/15-34-15

Safety Statements 

16-26-27-36/37/39-45-43

RIDADR 

UN 1422 4.3/PG 1

WGK Germany 

1

Autoignition Temperature

248-257 °F

HazardClass 

4.3

PackingGroup 

I

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

Symbol(GHS)

Signal word

Danger

Hazard statements

H260In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously

H314Causes severe skin burns and eye damage

Precautionary statements

P223Keep away from any possible contact with water, because of violent reaction and possible flash fire.

P231+P232Handle under inert gas. Protect from moisture.

P260Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.

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

P303+P361+P353IF ON SKIN (or hair): Remove/Take off Immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse SKIN with water/shower.

P305+P351+P338IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continuerinsing.

POTASSIUM SODIUM ALLOY Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Uses

Alternative to other reagents for desulfurizations, dehalogenations(as Wurtz coupling reactions), and Birch reductions.

Additionally can be used as:

• A reducing agent for aliphatic ester substrates
• A deprotectant in place of the typical heavy metal deprotectant

Safety Profile

A low-melting alloy of Na and K. Its toxicity is due to either Na or K alone. Corrosive to the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. Upon contact with moisture it reacts violently to evolve H2; much heat; and a highly caustic residue of NaOH or KOH. Oxidation forms Na2O and K2O, whch are powerful caustics. A dangerous fire and explosion hazard. Violent or explosive reaction with O2, water, moisture, steam, halogens, oxidzers, acids or acid fumes, gving off much heat, hydrogen, toxic and corrosive fumes, often spattering either red-hot particles or actually flaming particles. A severe explosion hazard, wiU react explosively under the appropriate condtions with moisture, acids, acid fumes, solid CO2, carbon disulfide, halocarbons (e.g., CH3Cl, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, bromoform,1,1,1- trichloroethane, 1,1,2- trichlorotrifluoroethane, tetrachloroethane, CH2Cl2, CH2l2), ammonium sulfate + NH4 + No3, HgO, metal halides (e.g., silver halides, zinc chloride, iron(Ⅲ) chloride), metal oxides (e.g., silver oxide, mercury oxide), nitrogen-containing explosives (e.g., ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, picric acid, nitrobenzene), oxalyl bromide, oxalyl chloride, pentachloroethane, K oxides, KO2, Si, NaHCO3, polytetrafluoroethylene. Reacts vigorously with oxidizing materials. To fight fire, use G-1 powder, dry sodum chloride, dry sodium carbonate, dry calcium carbonate, dry sand, resin-coated sodium chloride, or dry soda ash. Never use water, graphite, carbon dioxide, halocarbons, or foam. Dangerous; when heated it emits highly toxic fumes of Na2O and K2O. Used as a liquid coolant for nuclear reactor cores. See also SODIUM and POTASSIUM.