What is the outcome if caustic potash reacts with carbon monoxide?
Answers
The products of the reaction between KOH and CO2 will depend on the ratio of the reactants present;-
If only one mole of KOH and one mole of CO2 are present, then the product of the reaction is potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3). eg ;-
KOH + CO2 → KHCO3
If KOH is present in larger than equimolar amounts, the excess KOH will react with the KHCO3 already produced to form K2CO3 and water. eg;-
KHCO3 + KOH → K2CO3 + H2O
The reason there are two possible products, KHCO3 and K2CO3 is that the acid produced when CO2 and water react is a diprotic acid, called carbonic acid(H2CO3). eg;-
CO2 + H2O → H2CO3
Diprotic acids are able to release their protons in two sequential steps, which results in two different salts when reacted with monobasic alkalis such as KOH.