{{refimprove|date=November 2021}} {{Chembox | Name = Potassium ethoxide | ImageFile = Potassium ethoxide.svg | ImageSize = 120px | PIN = Potassium ethoxide | OtherNames = Potassium ethylate |Section1={{Chembox Identifiers | CASNo = 917-58-8 | EC_number = 213-029-0 | PubChem = 23670592 | ChemSpiderID = 63375 | SMILES = CC[O-].[K+] | InChI = 1/C2H5O.K/c1-2-3;/h2H2,1H3;/q-1;+1 | InChIKey = RPDAUEIUDPHABB-UHFFFAOYAN | StdInChI = 1S/C2H5O.K/c1-2-3;/h2H2,1H3;/q-1;+1 | StdInChIKey = RPDAUEIUDPHABB-UHFFFAOYSA-N}} |Section2={{Chembox Properties | C=2 | H=5 | O=1 | K=1 | Appearance = Yellow or Off-White Powder<ref name="World Of Chemicals">[http://www.worldofchemicals.com/wochem/pub/chempotassium-ethoxide.html], n.pag. World Of Chemicals. Web. 19 Oct 2012. <http://www.worldofchemicals.com/wochem/pub/chempotassium-ethoxide.html>.</ref> | Density = 0.894 g/mL <ref name="pubchem">{{PubChem|23670592}}</ref> | MeltingPtC = 250 | BoilingPt = | Solubility = Reacts }} |Section3={{Chembox Hazards | GHSPictograms = {{GHS02}}{{GHS05}} | GHSSignalWord = Danger | HPhrases = {{H-phrases|251|314}} | PPhrases = {{P-phrases|235+410|260|264|280|301+330+331|303+361+353|304+340|305+351+338|310|321|363|405|407|413|420|501}} | MainHazards = | FlashPt = | AutoignitionPt = }} }}
'''Potassium ethoxide''', also known as potassium ethanolate, is an off-white or yellow powder with the chemical formula of C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>KO. Potassium ethoxide contains an ethoxide ion, the conjugate base of ethanol, which makes these compounds strongly basic. It hydrolyzes to yield ethanol and potassium hydroxide.
==Uses== Potassium ethoxide is used as a strong base, similar to sodium and potassium methoxides, and potassium tert-butoxide. Catalytic amounts of potassium ethoxide in ethanol can be used to perform transesterification reactions that yield ethyl esters. Sodium or potassium ethoxide is also a suitable base for the malonic ester synthesis where diethyl malonate is used, since any transesterification reaction does not result in ester scrambling.
==Safety== Potassium ethoxide is stable, but also both flammable and corrosive. The compound reacts vigorously with water. If the compound comes into contact with damp air, it may lead to the heating and ignition of the solid powder. It must be kept separated from air, moisture, water, acids, oxidizing agents, and reducing agents.<ref name="caslab">[http://www.caslab.com/Potassium_ethoxide_CAS_917-58-8/], n.pag. CasLAb. Web. 19 Oct 2012. <http://www.caslab.com/Potassium_ethoxide_CAS_917-58-8/>.</ref> It can also cause severe skin burns.<ref name="chemexper">[http://www.chemexper.com/chemicals/supplier/cas/917-58-8.html], n.pag. chemexper. Web. 19 Oct 2012. <http://www.chemexper.com/chemicals/supplier/cas/917-58-8.html>.</ref>
==References== <references />
Category:Ethoxides Category:Potassium compounds