Potassium hydride

Gray solid

Fixed

420 ° C (decomposition, 1 atm. H2 pressure )

Violent decomposition in water

Risk

35 % suspension in paraffin oil

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Potassium is an inorganic chemical compound of potassium out of the hydrides.

Production and representation

Potassium forms slowly from the elements potassium and hydrogen from 260 ° C, with reasonable speed from 350 ° C. In contrast, sodium hydride is already above 80 ° C, with reasonable speed from 250 ° C.

Use

Since potassium is a very strong base, it can be used for the deprotonation of the organic molecules. Although it is more reactive than sodium, it is used because of the cumbersome handling of rare in the laboratory.

Safety

Potassium reacts with water to form hydrogen gas:

The reaction can develop so much heat that ignites the hydrogen gas. Potassium can only be sold by the manufacturers as a dispersion in mineral oil. According to one study, homogenization is possible with paraffin.