Originally Posted by RDC F250 7.3
Hi readers:
As you may know, sodium hyroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) may be used as catalysts during a reaction. I need input on the varying nature and behavior of each during a reaction (methoxide).
Does anyone have information as to which catalyst is recommended, and why? Although the two substances closely resemble eachother in chemical properties, which do you prefer to use? Which is more likely to give consistent results time after time? Although caustic, which is safer to use? General and specific input on NaOH vs. KOH.
Many thanks,
RDC
I started out using NaOH, but switched to Koh about 2 years ago. KOH mixes a lot easyer, has less vapor, and produces a glycerol byproduct that is liquid to 0 deg, which means it is alot easyer to get into my methanol recovery still.
If you use NaOH the glycerol makes a great weed killer, it kills anything green, but my KOH based glycerol I use for fertilizer. I will never go back to NaOH!
FABMANDELUX.
