Potassium ethoxide

Potassium ethoxide
Names
	IUPAC name Potassium ethanolate
	Other names Potassium ethylate
Identifiers
CAS Number	917-58-8;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
ChemSpider	63375;
ECHA InfoCard	100.011.845
PubChem CID	70189;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID10890530 ;
	InChI InChI=1S/C2H5O.K/c1-2-3;/h2H2,1H3;/q-1;+1 Key: RPDAUEIUDPHABB-UHFFFAOYSA-N; InChI=1/C2H5O.K/c1-2-3;/h2H2,1H3;/q-1;+1 Key: RPDAUEIUDPHABB-UHFFFAOYAN;
	SMILES CC[O-].[K+];
Properties
Chemical formula	C2H5KO
Molar mass	84.159 g·mol−1
Appearance	Yellow or Off-White Powder[1]
Density	0.894 g/mL [2]
Melting point	250 °C (482 °F; 523 K)
Solubility in water	Reacts
Hazards
EU classification (DSD) (outdated)	F C
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
	Infobox references

Potassium ethoxide, also known as potassium ethanolate, is an off-white or yellow powder with the chemical formula of C₂H₅KO. Potassium ethoxide contains an ethoxide ion, the conjugate base of ethanol, which makes this compounds strongly basic. It hydrolyzes to yield ethanol and potassium hydroxide.

Uses

Potassium ethoxide is used as a strong base, similar to sodium and potassium methoxides, and potassium tert-butoxide. Catalytic amounts of potassium ethoxide in ethanol can be used to perform transesterification reactions that yield ethyl esters. Sodium or potassium ethoxide is also a suitable base for the malonic ester synthesis where diethyl malonate is used, since any transesterification reaction does not result in ester scrambling.

Safety

Potassium ethoxide is stable, but also both flammable and corrosive. The compound reacts vigorously with water. If the compound comes into contact with damp air, it may lead to the heating and ignition of the solid powder. Keep separated from air, moisture, water, acids, oxidizing agents, and reducing agents.[3] It can also cause severe skin burns.[4]

References

, n.pag. World Of Chemicals. Web. 19 Oct 2012. <http://www.worldofchemicals.com/wochem/pub/chempotassium-ethoxide.html>.
CID 23670592 from PubChem
, n.pag. CasLAb. Web. 19 Oct 2012. <http://www.caslab.com/Potassium_ethoxide_CAS_917-58-8/>.
, n.pag. chemexper. Web. 19 Oct 2012. <http://www.chemexper.com/chemicals/supplier/cas/917-58-8.html>.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[World_Of_Chemicals-1] , n.pag. World Of Chemicals. Web. 19 Oct 2012. <http://www.worldofchemicals.com/wochem/pub/chempotassium-ethoxide.html>.

[pubchem-2] CID 23670592 from PubChem

[caslab-3] , n.pag. CasLAb. Web. 19 Oct 2012. <http://www.caslab.com/Potassium_ethoxide_CAS_917-58-8/>.

[chemexper-4] , n.pag. chemexper. Web. 19 Oct 2012. <http://www.chemexper.com/chemicals/supplier/cas/917-58-8.html>.