Potassium is a soft, silvery-white alkali metal with a density of 0.86 g/cm³ (lighter than water), a melting point of 63.5°C, and a boiling point of 759°C. It is extremely chemically reactive, reacting violently—or even exploding—upon contact with water; therefore, it must be stored in kerosene or liquid paraffin to isolate it from air and moisture.

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

PRODUCT USAGE

**Dehydrating and Gettering Agent:** Metallic potassium strongly absorbs moisture and is widely used as a dehydrating agent; in vacuum tube manufacturing, it serves as a "getter" to absorb residual oxygen and water vapor, thereby maintaining a high vacuum and extending the tube's service life.

**Sodium-Potassium Alloy (Heat Transfer):** An alloy of potassium and sodium (containing 77.2% potassium and 22.8% sodium) has a melting point of only about 12°C, remaining liquid at room temperature. Characterized by high heat capacity, its primary applications include:

Coolant for nuclear reactors (specifically fast-neutron breeder reactors).

Heat transfer medium for heat exchangers and specialized cooling equipment.

Substitute for mercury in thermometer manufacturing.

**Reducing Agent and Catalyst in Organic Synthesis:** Metallic potassium acts as a strong reducing agent and highly active catalyst in organic synthesis, facilitating reactions such as olefin double-bond migration and skeletal isomerization; cutting-edge research from 2023 indicates that metallic potassium can serve as a promoter for ammonia synthesis, enabling efficient production under low-temperature and low-pressure conditions.

**Potassium Superoxide Production:** A significant portion of metallic potassium is converted into potassium superoxide (KO₂) via direct combustion; this compound is used in breathing apparatuses to release oxygen while removing carbon dioxide and water vapor.

**Other Industrial Uses:** Production of tetraethyllead (used in the pharmaceutical and rubber industries), manufacture of photoelectric cells, and use as anode material for potassium-ion batteries, among other emerging fields.