Potassium superoxide is a source of superoxide, which is an oxidant and a nucleophile, depending on its reaction partner. Upon contact with water, it undergoes
disproportionation to
potassium hydroxide, oxygen, and hydrogen peroxide: : : It reacts with carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen: : : Theoretically, 1 kg of absorbs 0.310 kg of while releasing 0.338 kg of . One mole of absorbs 0.5 moles of and releases 0.75 moles of oxygen. As a laboratory reagent, potassium superoxide only finds niche uses. Because it reacts with water, is often studied in organic solvents. Since the salt is poorly soluble in nonpolar solvents,
crown ethers are typically used. The
tetraethylammonium salt is also known. Representative reactions of these salts involve using superoxide as a
nucleophile, e.g., in converting alkyl bromides to alcohols and
acyl chlorides to
diacyl peroxides. Ion exchange with
tetramethylammonium hydroxide gives tetramethylammonium superoxide, a yellow solid. ==Applications==