Potassium hydride, KH, is a chemical compound of potassium and hydrogen. It is a hydride of potassium. It reacts with water according to the reaction:
- KH + H2O → KOH + H2
The reaction is so vigorous that often the hydrogen gas produced will ignite, producing a lilac flame from the presence of potassium ions in the hydrogen fire. Potassium hydride is also pyrophoric, and requires careful handling. For this reason it is sold commercially as a slurry in mineral oil. In one study the compound is dispersed in paraffin to allow for better dispensing [1] Potassium hydride is a powerful base (more reactive than sodium hydride), which can be used to deprotonate organic molecules.
See also
References
- ^ Potassium Hydride in Paraffin: A Useful Base for Organic Synthesis Douglass F. Taber and Christopher G. Nelson J. Org. Chem.; 2006; 71(23) pp 8973 - 8974; (Note) doi:10.1021/jo061420v
