Potassium hydroxide (KOH) is a hygroscopic, water soluble base synthesized by the electrolysis of potassium chloride solution. It is the raw material for the synthesis of many potassium compounds.
KOH reacts with CO2 to form potassium carbonate. This property can be utilized to absorb CO2. It participates as catalyst in aldol condensation reactions. 
KOH anisotropic etching of silicon is used for the fabrication of sub-micron silicon nitride waveguides using conventional contact lithography.[ Pulverized KOH may be used for the preparation of chalcones.
 
Application
Potassium hydroxide (KOH) was used in the following processes:
• Quantification of glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) in biological samples by HPLC.
• Preparation of buffer for use in the Investigation of seed fatty acid (FA) composition, protein, oil and sugar content.
• Stable isotopic profiling study of Caenorhabditis elegans.
Potassium hydroxide may be employed as an etchant for the laser modified glass. In combination with tellurium powder, it mediates the quantitative pinacolization of aromatic carbonyl compounds.