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Chemistry Forums for Students => Inorganic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Bidagdha_TADIR on March 27, 2014, 08:19:39 AM

Title: What is Wood Alkali?
Post by: Bidagdha_TADIR on March 27, 2014, 08:19:39 AM
Recently I went to Website of Gillette to learn the history of the company. There it was written that Sumarians used mixture of animal fats and wood alkali as shaving cream.

I like to know what is wood alkali? What is its composition?
Title: Re: What is Wood Alkali?
Post by: Hunter2 on March 27, 2014, 09:40:08 AM
Wood alkali is caustic pottash, obtained by burning wood. Mainly potassiumcarbonate. K2CO3.
Title: Re: What is Wood Alkali?
Post by: Bidagdha_TADIR on March 27, 2014, 05:07:40 PM
Quote from: Hunter2 on March 27, 2014, 09:40:08 AM
Wood alkali is caustic pottash, obtained by burning wood. Mainly potassiumcarbonate. K2CO3.

I thought caustic potash was KOH. But nevertheless, the answer is what I was looking for. Is it like - wood ash contains both K2CO3 and KOH?
Title: Re: What is Wood Alkali?
Post by: Hunter2 on March 27, 2014, 05:31:28 PM
It contains more carbonate. The carbondioxide from the combustion reacts with hydroxide.
Title: Re: What is Wood Alkali?
Post by: Bidagdha_TADIR on March 27, 2014, 05:41:31 PM
Quote from: Hunter2 on March 27, 2014, 05:31:28 PM
It contains more carbonate. The carbondioxide from the combustion reacts with hydroxide.
Thanks. Completely clear now.