Potassium peroxide

Potassium peroxide is an ionic compound with formula K₂O₂, composed of potassium cations and peroxide anions. It is a pale yellow solid that reacts with water and carbon dioxide.

Peroxide ion: The diatomic anion O₂²⁻, with an oxygen–oxygen single bond and oxidation state −1 for each oxygen. These anions are the defining negative ions in potassium peroxide.
Potassium: A soft, highly reactive alkali metal with atomic number 19 and symbol K. Potassium atoms form the cations in potassium peroxide.
Chemical oxygen generator: A device that produces breathable oxygen through chemical reactions rather than storing it as compressed gas. Potassium peroxide can release oxygen through reactions with water or carbon dioxide.
Potassium ozonide: An ionic compound, KO₃, containing potassium cations and ozonide anions O₃⁻. Its three-oxygen anion contrasts with the two-oxygen peroxide ion.
Potassium ion: The monatomic cation K⁺ formed when a potassium atom loses one electron. Potassium cations balance the charge of each peroxide ion.
Oxygen: A chemical element with atomic number 8 that commonly forms diatomic molecules and oxygen-containing ions. Two oxygen atoms remain bonded together in the peroxide ion.
Carbon dioxide scrubber: A system that removes carbon dioxide from a gas stream by chemical or physical absorption. Potassium peroxide consumes carbon dioxide while producing oxygen.
Sodium peroxide: An ionic compound, Na₂O₂, composed of sodium cations and peroxide anions. It shares peroxide chemistry with potassium peroxide but contains a different alkali-metal cation.
Hydrolysis: A chemical reaction in which a substance reacts with water, often cleaving bonds or forming new species. Water converts potassium peroxide into potassium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide.
Ionic compound: A substance composed of oppositely charged ions held together by electrostatic attraction. Potassium peroxide’s formula expresses the charge balance between K⁺ and O₂²⁻.

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