From: Jim Sims (jsims$##$ucrac1.ucr.edu)
Date: Thu Oct 28 1999 - 12:26:33 EDT
>
>A procedure I wish to use calls for powdered KOH. As I pictured myself
>trying to squash individual pellets between two teaspoons, I remembered
>the orglist people: Have any of you tried preparing pulverized potassium
>hydroxide?
>KOH is very hygroscopic.
>
>Kindest regards,
>
>Thomas Hoyer
We use a mortar and pestle and a low boiling solvent such as hexane or
methylene chloride to cover the pellets while powdering. Have never tried
THF but that suggestion sounds good for several reasons. If you are using
reagent grade KOH, take a look at the bottle. It normally contains 10-15
percent water. I suppose the advantage of pulverizing the KOH is to
increase its surface area for a heterogeneous reaction. The use of phase
transfer procedures which put everything in solution sometimes can be
useful in such a reaction.
Good luck!
Professor Jim Sims
Department of Plant Pathology
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
Voice: 909 787 4127
FAX 909 787 4294
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