Potassium Superoxide

[12030-88-5] KO2 (MW 71.10) InChI = 1S/K.HO2/c;1-2/h;1H/q+1;/p-1 InChIKey = DUPSQGGNCHNYTQ-UHFFFAOYSA-M (reactive species is the superoxide anion, O2−; solubility of KO2 in aprotic organic solvents is facilitated by crown ethers2, 3 or other phase-transfer catalysts;4 O2− reacts with most organic substrates either as an anion or as an electron-transfer (reducing) agent; reacts as a nucleophilic anion toward alkyl halides, sulfonates, and carbonyl groups; other net displacement reactions such as with halocarbons may be initiated by electron transfer; reacts as a basic anion toward substrates bearing acidic protons; used in situ with a variety of activated halogens to form peroxy anions useful for further oxygen transfer, e.g. epoxidations1) Physical Data: mp 500 °C.5 Solubility: slightly sol DMSO; crown ethers are useful for bringing KO2 into organic solvents such as DMSO,2 DMF, MeCN, THF, benzene;3 reacts rapidly with H2O and protic solvents. Form Supplied in: small chunks of light yellow powdery solid. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: chunks of solid may be handled briefly in the atmosphere; prolonged exposure to the atmosphere results in reaction with H2O; storage should be under dry conditions such as a desiccator; reaction with H2O produces O2, H2O2, and OH−.