Potassium peroxide
Also known as Dipotassium peroxide, Potassium peroxide (K2(O2)), Potassium oxide (K2(O2))
Key facts
What buyers check first
- Appearance
- Yellow amorphous solid
- Melting point
- 490 °C
- Density
- Greater than 1 at 20 °C
- Solubility
- Reacts with water
- HS code
- 281530
- Category
- Oxides and peroxides
- UN number
- UN 1491

What is Potassium peroxide?
Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms
Potassium peroxide appears as a yellow granular solid. Mixtures of potassium peroxide and combustible material readily ignited by friction, heat or contact with moisture. Prolonged exposure to fire or heat may cause vigorous decomposition of the material and rupture of the container. Used as a bleach.
Identifiers
Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy
- IUPAC name
- dipotassium, peroxide
- CAS number
- 17014-71-0 CAS number cross-checked
- EC number
- 241-089-8
- Molecular formula
- K2O2
- UNII
- ZHB4ZOE9PU
- InChIKey
- XXQBEVHPUKOQEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- InChI
- InChI=1S/2K.O2/c;;1-2/q2*+1;-2
- SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
- [O-][O-].[K+].[K+]
Synonyms
- Dipotassium peroxide
- Potassium peroxide (K2(O2))
- Potassium oxide (K2(O2))
- Potassium peroxide [k2(o2)]
- dipotassium, peroxide
- Dipotassium dioxidanediide
- Potassium peroxide [UN1491] [Oxidizer]
Physical and chemical properties
Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure
Physical and chemical properties
Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade
| Appearance | Yellow amorphous solidexp.Measured value |
|---|---|
| Melting point | 490 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Density | Greater than 1 at 20 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Solubility | Reacts with waterexp.Measured value |
Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.
Computed descriptors
Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation
| Molecular weight | 110.19 g/molcalc.Computed value |
|---|---|
| Exact mass | 109.9172 Dacalc.Computed value |
| LogP (octanol/water) | -8.37calc.Computed value |
| Topological polar surface area | 46.12 Ųcalc.Computed value |
| Hydrogen bond donors | 0calc.Computed value |
| Hydrogen bond acceptors | 2calc.Computed value |
| Rotatable bonds | 0calc.Computed value |
| Heavy atoms | 4calc.Computed value |
| Rings | 0calc.Computed value |
| Aromatic rings | 0calc.Computed value |
| Fraction sp3 carbons | 0calc.Computed value |
| Formal charge | 0calc.Computed value |
| Stereocentres | 0calc.Computed value |
| Components | 3calc.Computed value |
Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.
Safety and hazards
GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet
Hazard statements
- H272May intensify fire, oxidiser.
- H315Causes skin irritation.
- H319Causes serious eye irritation.
Precautionary statements (13)
- P210Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
- P220Keep away from clothing and other combustible materials.
- P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
- P264 + P265Wash skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
- P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P302 + P352If on skin: Wash with plenty of water.
- P305 + P351 + P338If in eyes: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
- P332 + P317If skin irritation occurs: Get medical help.
- P337 + P317If eye irritation persists: Get medical help.
- P362 + P364Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
- P370 + P378In case of fire: Use appropriate media to extinguish.
- P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
- UN number
- UN 1491
- Transport hazard class
- 5.1
- Packing group
- I
GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.
Full safety data and first aidPotassium peroxide suppliers
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Potassium peroxide price
Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers
Suppliers quote this chemical on request. Send one free request and compare quotes side by side.
Uses and applications
What the substance is used for, by industry and function
In regenerative oxygen breathing apparatus.
Oxidizing and bleaching agent, oxygen-generating gas masks.
How it is made
Oxidation of potassium, thermal decomposition of potassium superoxide
Derivation: Oxidation of potassium in oxygen
Potassium peroxide is formed when potassium is heated in air.
Regulatory status
Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance
United States
- TSCA inventory (USA)Status: Active in US commerce
HS code and trade data
Customs classification and reported world trade statistics
Global trade
World import and export statistics for the HS code Potassium peroxide is traded under.
Peroxides of sodium or potassium
- China31.6%
- France * partner reported23.9%
- United States12.7%
- United States22.5%
- Germany10.0%
- South Africa9.9%
* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.
The HS code shown for Potassium peroxide is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about Potassium peroxide, based on the data on this page
What is Potassium peroxide?
What is the CAS number of Potassium peroxide?
What is the molecular formula and weight of Potassium peroxide?
What is Potassium peroxide used for?
Is Potassium peroxide hazardous?
What is the HS code of Potassium peroxide?
Where can I buy Potassium peroxide?
What is the price of Potassium peroxide?
Guides for buyers
Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Potassium peroxide
- Guide, SafetyHow to read a safety data sheet in 10 minutesA section by section method to pull the essentials out of any 16 section SDS: identity, hazards, composition, storage, PPE, properties, transport and emergency measures.Read
- Guide, Trade and logisticsShipping dangerous goods: UN numbers, classes and packing groupsHow the UN dangerous goods system works for chemicals, from the nine classes and UN numbers to packing groups, UN packaging marks, labels, documents and segregation.Read
- Guide, SafetyGHS pictograms, signal words and hazard statements explainedA practical guide to the nine GHS pictograms, the signal words Danger and Warning, H and P statements, and how to read a chemical label in seconds.Read
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