Why Does Potassium Form Superoxide with Excess Oxygen?

[garytse86]

Oxidation:

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

Gary

 

[Chemicalsuperfreak]

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?

 

[garytse86]

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

 

[garytse86]

can someone give an answer please?