© 2026 Nanjing Finechem Holdings Co., Ltd,
All Right Reserved
Chemical Name: Potassium Bis(trimethylsilyl)amide
Common Synonyms: KHMDS, KN(SiMe3)2, Potassium hexamethyldisilazide
Appearance: Pale yellow, sometimes white, crystalline or powdery solid, often sold in solution
Odor: Ammonia-like, pungent
Use: Often used in labs as a strong, non-nucleophilic base for organic synthesis
Physical Hazards: Reacts violently with water, produces flammable gases; strong base, can corrode tissues
Health Risks: Severe burns to skin, eyes, and respiratory system; breathing in dust or vapor can lead to serious respiratory distress
Environmental Hazards: Dangerous to aquatic life if released
GHS Classification: Corrosive, dangerous for the environment, flammable when in contact with moist air
Main Ingredient: Potassium Bis(trimethylsilyl)amide
Chemical Formula: K[N(Si(CH3)3)2]
CAS Number: 107-21-1
Impurities: Often comes with trace solvents, sometimes hydrocarbon impurities depending on storage method
Skin Contact: Wash with a generous amount of water for at least 15 minutes, remove contaminated clothing, seek medical attention right away
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes under running water for no less than 15 minutes, keep eyelids open, get immediate medical help
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, support breathing, get medical attention quickly if experiencing symptoms like coughing, burning in throat, or difficulty breathing
Ingestion: Avoid inducing vomiting, drink water if conscious, and seek emergency medical care
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical extinguishers, sand, or dry powder — avoid water and CO2 which react dangerously
Fire Hazards: Highly reactive, gives off flammable gases upon contact with water, burns with strong, caustic fumes
Protective Equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus and protective suits due to corrosive and toxic gases
Firefighting Strategies: Dike runoff to prevent environmental impact, avoid breathing vapor and fumes, isolate the area and remove all ignition sources
Spill Response: Keep unnecessary personnel away, ventilate the area, deal with spills in properly equipped chemical fume hoods
Cleanup: Use dry, non-reactive absorbent materials, avoid using water, collect in sealed containers designed to handle corrosive and reactive materials
Personal Safety: Wear full-face protection, heavy-duty gloves, chemical-resistant clothing, and respiratory protection
Environmental Controls: Prevent substance from reaching drains or water supplies
Handling: Always manipulate inside a glovebox or inert gas atmosphere, work with tools and containers designed for moisture-sensitive reagents, never return unused product to the original container
Storage: Store in a tightly-sealed, moisture-proof container under nitrogen or argon, keep away from acids, oxidizers, and all sources of water, at stable, cool temperatures
Incompatibilities: Water, acidic substances, oxidizers, and halogens trigger violent reactions
Engineering Controls: Handle only under effective fume extraction systems, use gloveboxes for bulk amounts, maintain emergency eyewash and showers nearby
Personal Protection: Chemical splash goggles, face shields, heavy-duty gloves, solvent-resistant aprons or lab coats, and suitable respiratory protection
Hygiene: Wash hands and skin thoroughly after handling, prohibit eating and drinking in the working area, use disposable towels for cleaning
State: Solid or dissolved in hydrocarbon solvents
Color: Pale yellow to white
Odor: Ammonia-like
Melting Point: 187–190°C (solid, but depends on purity and presence of solvents)
Solubility: Rapidly hydrolyzes in water, soluble in ethers and hydrocarbons
Stability in Air: Decomposes, can catch fire on contact with moisture
Vapor Pressure: Negligible for the solid compound
Flammability: Reacts violently with water, produces flammable gases
Reactivity: KHMDS reacts with water, acids, oxidizers; evolves ammonia and other toxic gases
Chemical Stability: Only stable under dry, inert conditions, sensitive to humidity and atmospheric CO2
Hazardous Reactions: Violent hydrolysis, formation of highly alkaline, combustible products
Decomposition Byproducts: Trimethylsilylamine, ammonia, potassium hydroxide, and other dangerous compounds
Acute Effects: Burns skin and eyes severely on contact, vapor or dust can damage lungs, throat, and nose
Ingestion Risks: Burns to mouth and digestive tract, risk of serious internal harm
Chronic Exposure: May lead to long-term skin and respiratory issues; organ effects from repeated contact haven’t been thoroughly investigated in humans, yet based on related compounds, avoid repeat exposures
Sensitization: No reliable evidence points to allergic sensitization, but caution should dictate procedures
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by major agencies, based on available data
Environmental Impact: Toxic to aquatic life, disrupts natural water chemistry, alters pH, damages living organisms rapidly
Persistence and Degradability: Rapidly hydrolyzes in water to produce strong base and siloxanes; environmental breakdown products can cause sustained harm
Bioaccumulation: Not likely in living organisms due to reactivity, but byproducts may accumulate in soils and sediments
Waste Handling: Neutralize cautiously under controlled conditions using non-reactive substances like isopropanol or t-butanol, then destroy in consultation with professional hazardous waste personnel
Avoid: Never dispose of down drains, in regular trash, or in landfill; prevent entry into the environment
Container Disposal: Clean thoroughly with compatible neutralizing solution before discarding, always treat as hazardous waste
Transport Risks: Designated as dangerous goods by air, road, and sea; use only certified packaging
Special Requirements: Ship under inert gas in tightly sealed containers that prevent escape of dust, vapor, or reaction with moisture
Labeling: Clearly marked with hazard pictograms for corrosive, environmentally hazardous, and water-reactive materials
Worker Safety Laws: Controlled under occupational safety regulations for corrosive and water-reactive chemicals
Environmental Laws: Releases may be regulated under hazardous substance and water protection rules, subject to emergency reporting requirements
Transportation Laws: Must comply with international dangerous goods regulations, including labeling, quantities, and emergency planning
