Like all other bases, KOH reacts with acids by a neutralization reaction, form-

ing salt and water:

KOH + HCl = KCl + H₂O (with hydrochloric acid).

KOH + HI = KI + H₂O (with hydroiodic acid).

If an acid is dibasic (for example H₂SO4) or more, different salts can be ob-
tained depending on the ratio of the reagents:

 KOH + H₂SO₄ = KHSO₄ + H₂O (with a ratio of reagents of 1:1 potassium

hydrosulfate forms);
 2KOH + H₂SO₄ = K₂SO₄ + H₂O (with a ratio of alkali and acid
of 2:1 potassium sulfate forms).

Salts also form in the reaction of potassium hydroxide with acidic oxides:

2KOH + SO₃ = K₂SO₄ + H₂O (potassium sulfate).

A reaction with carbon dioxide is possible:

2KOH + CO₂ = K₂CO₃ + H₂O.

With amphoteric oxides, potassium hydroxide forms double salts:

 2KOH + ZnO = K₂ZnO₂ + H₂O (potassium zincate is formed with zinc ox-

ide);
 2KOH + Al₂O₃ = 2KAlO₂ + H₂O (the product of reaction with aluminum
oxide is potassium aluminate).

With amphoteric hydroxides, the reaction may take place in a solution (com-
plex compounds are formed) or in a flux (the product of reaction is a dou-
ble salt):

 Be(OH)₂ + 2KOH = K₂BeO₂ + 2H₂O (potassium beryllate forms);

 Fe(OH)₃ + KOH = K[Fe(OH)₄] (potassium tetrahydroxoferrate (III) forms);
  Al(OH)₃ + 3KOH = K3[Al(OH)₆] (in an abundance of alkali – potassium
hexahydroxoaluminate (III) forms).

Double and complex salts are also formed in the reaction of potassium hy-
droxide with amphoteric metals:

1. 2KOH + Zn = K₂ZnO₂ + H₂;

2. 2KOH + 2Al + 2H₂O = 2KAlO₂ + 3H₂;
3. 2KOH + 2Al + 6H₂O = 2K[Al(OH)₄] + 3H₂.

If as a result of the reaction, an insoluble compound forms, potassium hydrox-

ide can also react with salts:

2KOH + CuSO₄ = K₂SO₄ + Cu(OH)₂ (copper (II) hydroxide – a base that is insol-
uble in water).

Potassium salts behave in a similar way – with other salts the reaction takes
place if an insoluble compound forms, as in the reaction of potassium hydrox-
ide with potassium phosphate: 2K₃PO₄ + 3Ca(OH)₂ = Ca₃(PO₄)₂ + 6KOH.