Potassium oxide hydroxide. It is deliquescent and will absorb water from the atmosphere, initiating this vigorous reaction. The chemical formula KO (or simply 'K') is used in several industrial contexts: the N-P-K numbers for fertilizers, in cement formulas, and in glassmaking formulas. Potassium oxide is often not used directly in these products, but the amount of potassium is reported in terms of the KO equivalent for whatever type of potash was used, such as potassium carbonate. For example, potassium oxide is about 83% potassium by weight, while potassium chloride is only 52%. Potassium chloride provides less potassium than an equal amount of
Potassium bifluoride it to generate, for the first time, hydrogen fluoride. Potassium bifluoride is prepared by treating potassium carbonate or potassium hydroxide with hydrofluoric acid: The electrolysis of KHF was used by Henri Moissan to isolate the element fluorine in 1886. A related material containing two equivalents of HF is also known, KHF (CAS#12178-06-2, m.p. 71.7 C). The industrial production of fluorine entails the electrolysis of molten KHF. Potassium bifluoride Potassium bifluoride is the inorganic compound with the formula KHF. This colourless salt consists of the potassium cation and the bifluoride (HF) anion. The salt is used in etchant for glass. Sodium