Products Description of Potassium Methoxide CAS#865-33-8
Potassium methoxide is an alcoholic salt synthesized from methanol and potassium ions, which acts as a high-efficiency strong base and catalytic agent for transesterification reactions, especially in biodiesel manufacturing processes.
This chemical product is commercially supplied in both liquid and solid states. The liquid formulation is a colorless to faint yellow viscous methanol solution with an effective content of 28%–32% potassium methoxide. By contrast, its solid form appears as White to slightly yellow crystalline powder with a purity ranging from 95%–97%.
In recent years, liquid potassium methoxide has achieved growing market recognition and evolved into the dominant catalyst for biodiesel production. Statistical data shows that it occupied 96.2% of the total catalyst output in this industry in 2018, and its market proportion is projected to maintain a rising trend in the coming years.
Potassium methoxide Chemical Properties
| Melting point | -20°C |
| Boiling point | 84°C |
| density | 0.95 g/mL at 20 °C |
| vapor pressure | 0Pa at 25℃ |
| refractive index | n20/D 1.37 |
| Fp | 7°C |
| storage temp. | Store below +30°C. |
| solubility | Soluble in methanol and ethanol. |
| form | Liquid |
| pka | 15.17[at 20 ℃] |
| Specific Gravity | 0.95 |
| color | Clear colorless |
| PH | 12.8 (7g/l, H2O, 20℃) |
| Water Solubility | may decompose |
| Sensitive | Moisture Sensitive |
| Hydrolytic Sensitivity | 7: reacts slowly with moisture/water |
| BRN | 3551544 |
| Exposure limits | ACGIH: TWA 200 ppm; STEL 250 ppm (Skin) |
| OSHA: TWA 200 ppm(260 mg/m3) | |
| NIOSH: IDLH 6000 ppm; TWA 200 ppm(260 mg/m3); STEL 250 ppm(325 mg/m3) | |
| Stability: | Stable. Reacts violently with water. Moisture sensitive. Absorbs carbon dioxide from the air. Incompatible with acids, strong oxidizing agents, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, alkali metals. |
| CAS DataBase Reference | 865-33-8(CAS DataBase Reference) |
| EPA Substance Registry System | Methanol, potassium salt (865-33-8) |
| Hazard Codes | F,T,C |
| Risk Statements | 11-14-34-67-65-63-48/20-39/23/24/25-38-23/24/25 |
| Safety Statements | 8-16-26-43-45-62-46-36/37/39-33-29-25 |
| RIDADR | UN 3274 3/PG 2 |
| WGK Germany | 1 |
| F | 37917 |
| Autoignition Temperature | 30 - 50 °C |
| TSCA | Yes |
| HazardClass | 4.2 |
| PackingGroup | II |
| HS Code | 29051900 |
Product Application of Potassium Methoxide CAS#865-33-8
Potassium methoxide acts as a potent alkaline catalyst and condensation agent，It is widely utilized in the industrial synthesis of methyl formate, dimethyl carbonate and dimethylformamide, supporting efficient chemical reaction conversion.
This compound also serves as a key auxiliary material for pharmaceutical and agrochemical manufacturing. It participates in the production of various products, including sulfonamide antibiotics like sulfadiazine and sulfamethoxine, as well as trimethoprim, fluorenyl alcohol, vitamin A, vitamin B1 and other related derivatives.
Furthermore, it boasts diversified industrial usability. It functions as a dedicated catalyst for edible oil and fat processing, a tanning auxiliary for leather treatment, and a professional analytical reagent for laboratory testing procedures.
