Potassium Hydroxide is an inorganic compound available as white or slightly yellow lumps, flakes or powder. Its chemical formula is KOH. A strong base, potassium hydroxide forms strong alkyl solutions in water and other polar solvents. Potassium hydroxide is used in many industrial and domestic applications.

The chemical and physical properties of potassium hydroxide are as follows:

• Its molecular weight is 56.11 g/mol.
• Boiling point is 1324 °C.
• Melting point is 406 °C.
• Its density is 2.04 g/cm3.
• Solubility is high in water and ethanol, methanol and glycerin, low in ether.

Uses of potassium hydroxide include:

• It is used in the manufacture of many potassium compounds in the chemical industry. For example, compounds such as potassium carbonate, potassium phosphate, potassium permanganate, potassium nitrate are produced with potassium hydroxide.
• Phenol-formaldehyde and mineral wool are used as catalyst reagents to develop manufactured thermal and acoustic insulation materials. Potassium hydroxide accelerates the reaction of phenol with formaldehyde and facilitates the melting of mineral wool.
• It is used in the food industry as a pH control chemical, stabilizer and thickener. Potassium hydroxide is added to foods to reduce acidity and thicken them. For example, potassium hydroxide is used in products such as olives, cocoa, chocolate and cheese.
• Used in the manufacture of drain cleaners in liquid form. Potassium hydroxide dissolves substances such as grease, hair, soap residue in the drainage pipes and removes the blockage.
• It is used as an alkali source when cleaning industrial equipment. Potassium hydroxide dissolves dirt such as oil, grease and paint, allowing equipment to be cleaned.
• In the medical field, it is used in the preparation of wet mounts of various clinical specimens for microscopic visualization of fungi and similar fungal elements in hair, skin, nails and even vaginal secretions. Potassium hydroxide breaks down fungal cell walls, making them visible under the microscope.

Potassium hydroxide is also used in soap making, textile processing, dyes, inks and in the production of biodiesel. Potassium hydroxide is a versatile chemical compound and is used for different purposes in many industries.