© 2026 Sinochem Nanjing Corporation,
All Right Reserved
Product Name: Potassium Oxide
Chemical Formula: K2O
CAS Number: 12136-45-7
Manufacturer: Commonly produced by inorganic chemical suppliers; check label for supplier information
Use: Ingredient in fertilizers, specialty glass, ceramics, scientific research
Synonyms: Dipotassium oxide, potassium monoxide
Contact Information: Supplier phone and address provided on packaging for emergencies or technical details
GHS Classification: Corrosive to metals, Skin corrosion/irritation Category 1A, Serious eye damage Category 1
Hazard Symbols: Corrosive (GHS05), Skull and Crossbones for severe toxicity in high exposures
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe burns to skin and eyes, reacts violently with water, releases extremely toxic potassium hydroxide
Precautionary Statements: Wear personal protective gear, do not breathe dust or fumes, avoid contact with incompatible materials
Acute Effects: Severe irritation or burns to eyes, skin, mucous membranes, respiratory tract
Chronic Effects: Long term skin exposure may cause lesions; inhalation damages respiratory system
Chemical: Potassium Oxide
Content: More than 98% by weight
Other Ingredients: Trace impurities (may include unreacted potassium or hydrated forms if exposed to moisture)
Eye Contact: Rinse immediately with copious amounts of water for at least 20 minutes, lifting upper and lower eyelids. Seek medical attention.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse thoroughly with water for no less than 20 minutes. Seek immediate medical attention.
Inhalation: Move to fresh air and keep person warm, support breathing. Obtain medical help at once.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth with water. Immediately call a poison control center or medical professional.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry sand, dry chemical, or special Class D extinguishers. Do not use water or foam.
Unusual Fire Hazards: Intense exothermic reaction with water, produces corrosive potassium hydroxide. Oxide can increase fire intensity when near combustibles.
Protective Equipment: Full body protective suit, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
Hazardous Combustion Products: Potassium hydroxide fumes, possibly oxides of potassium.
Advice for Firefighters: Remain upwind, isolate hazard area, avoid breathing fumes.
Personal Precautions: Wear full chemical protective clothing, including goggles, gloves, and face shield.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent product from entering sewers or water systems.
Containment and Cleaning: Avoid using water to clean. Sweep up dry powder using spark-proof tools, place in a suitable, sealed container. Ventilate area. Wash spill site after removal with appropriate neutralizer, but do not allow runoff to go to waterways.
Reporting: Notify local authorities if release enters public water supply or environment.
Handling: Handle only with proper training and knowledge of hazards. Use enclosed systems if possible. Avoid contact with liquids, moisture, acids, and organics. Ground all equipment to avoid static.
Storage Conditions: Store in airtight, moisture-proof containers, in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from sources of water or high humidity.
Incompatibilities: Keep separated from water, acids, oxidizers, halogenated compounds, and organic material.
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation with corrosion-resistant ductwork. Enclosed handling systems improve safety.
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical resistant gloves (nitrile or rubber), full barrier suit, safety goggles, face shield, and closed comfortable footwear.
Respiratory Protection: Use a NIOSH-approved respirator if dust or fumes are generated.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands, forearms, and face after handling and before eating. Remove contaminated clothing immediately.
Exposure Limits: No established OSHA PEL or ACGIH TLV, but airborne dust and caustic nature require rigorous controls.
Appearance: White to grayish powder, crystalline solid, often hygroscopic
Odor: Odorless
pH: Very high (alkaline) in contact with water, forms potassium hydroxide
Melting Point: Approximately 740 °C (1364 °F)
Boiling Point: 1500 °C (2732 °F)
Solubility: Reacts violently with water
Density: 2.32 g/cm3
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at standard temperature
Vapor Density: Not applicable
Flash Point: Not flammable, but enhances combustion of other materials
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Chemical Stability: Stable in dry air and in sealed containers. Rapidly absorbs moisture, forming potassium hydroxide.
Reactivity: Reacts with water, acids, and moisture, generating heat and caustic solutions. Can etch glass and attack most metals when wet.
Incompatible Materials: Water, acids, organic material, oxidizers, halogenated hydrocarbons, aluminum, zinc.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Potassium hydroxide, heat, possibly hydrogen gas if in contact with certain metals and water.
Polymerization: Will not occur
Routes of Exposure: Eyes, skin, inhalation, ingestion
Effects of Short-Term Exposure: Rapid, severe burns to eyes, skin, throat, and digestive tract; inhalation causes coughing, shortness of breath, lung damage.
Effects of Long-Term Exposure: Repeated skin contact leads to dermatitis; inhaling dust can scar lung tissue.
Acute Toxicity Data: No specific LD50/LC50 available for pure K2O, but data from potassium hydroxide apply due to rapid reaction with water in the body.
Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Not listed as carcinogen by OSHA, IARC, NTP
Medical Conditions Aggravated: Conditions like eczema, lung conditions, and asthma worsen with exposure
Ecotoxicity: Highly caustic, alters pH in aquatic environments, toxic for aquatic organisms due to alkalinity.
Persistence and Degradability: Reacts rapidly, not persistent as itself, but elevates water pH dramatically.
Bioaccumulation: Potassium ions do not bioaccumulate, but ecosystem impact may be significant from rapid pH change.
Mobility in Soil: Rapid reaction with water creates soluble potassium hydroxide, which can migrate into groundwater.
Other Adverse Effects: Alters ecosystem balance by shifting pH and introducing excessive potassium.
Waste Disposal: Precautions are necessary for neutralizing with dilute acid under controlled conditions, always by trained professionals.
Container Disposal: Triple rinse with suitable neutralizing agent, dispose of as hazardous waste.
Legal Requirements: Disposal must conform to local, regional, and national regulations for hazardous materials.
Do Not: Wash down drain or pour into water systems; hazardous pH swings and environmental damage result.
UN Number: UN 2014
Proper Shipping Name: Potassium oxide
Hazard Class: 4.3 (Dangerous when wet)
Packing Group: I (great danger)
Labels Required: Corrosive, Dangerous When Wet
Special Transport Procedures: Keep containers tightly closed, in dry, labeled, segregated, and upright positions during transit. Carriers handle as hazardous cargo by law.
OSHA: Classified as hazardous under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
EPA: Register as a hazardous substance due to its potential to cause pollution
TSCA: Listed in United States Toxic Substances Control Act
REACH: Covered under REACH in European Union; manufacturers must provide registration and safe handling guidance
Other Applicable Restrictions: Local, state, and federal governments place limits on storage, transport, and use. Always reference country-specific statutes before shipment or disposal.
Labeling Requirements: Clear hazard symbols, signal words, and supply/first aid instructions on all containers and shipping paperwork.
