Why Does Potassium Form Superoxide with Excess Oxygen?

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Potassium can react with excess oxygen to form potassium superoxide due to its specific oxidation state and the stability of the resulting compound. The formation of superoxide rather than simpler oxides or peroxides is influenced by the energetic favorability of the reaction and the nature of potassium as an alkali metal. Potassium superoxide has practical applications, such as in organic synthesis, exemplified by its use in Kishi's synthesis of monensin. The discussion highlights the interest in understanding the conditions and reasons behind the preferential formation of superoxide in the presence of excess oxygen.
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Oxidation:

Is there any reason for Potassium to react with excess oxygen to give a superoxide, not simple or pero-?

Gary
 
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Potassium superoxide does indeed exist and has been used daringly as an organic reagent. Particularly in Kishi's monensin synthesis.

Or are you asking how it's made?
 
No, I just want to know whether there is any particular reason that potassium is oxidised to give potassium superoxide, not potassium peroxide / potassium simple oxide, in ecess oxygen.

Gary
 
can someone give an answer please?
 

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