3 S + 6 KOH 2 K2S + K2SO3 + 3 H2O

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

2 S0 + 4 e- 2 S-II (reduction)

S0 - 4 e- SIV (oxidation)

S is both an oxidizing and a reducing agent (disproportionation (dismutation)).

Reactants:

  • S
    • Names: Sulfur source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, S source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07, Sulphur source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Appearance: Yellow solid in various forms source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
  • KOHPotassium hydroxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Other names: Caustic potash source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Lye source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02, Potash lye source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Appearance: White solid, deliquescent source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; White hygroscopic solid in various forms source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Odorless, white or slightly yellow lumps, rods, flakes, sticks, or pellets. [Note: May be used as an aqueous solution.] source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02

Products:

  • K2SPotassium sulfide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Other names: Dipotassium monosulfide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Dipotassium sulfide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Potassium monosulfide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Appearance: Pure: colourless | impure: yellow-brown source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Hygroscopic white crystals with characteristic odour. turns red or brown on exposure to air source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
  • K2SO3Potassium sulfite source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Other names: E225 source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Potassium sulphite source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Appearance: White solid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
  • H2OWater, oxidane source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Other names: Water (H2O) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen hydroxide (HH or HOH) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen oxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Appearance: White crystalline solid, almost colorless liquid with a hint of blue, colorless gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27