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Environmental fate & pathways

Hydrolysis

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Endpoint:
hydrolysis
Data waiving:
study technically not feasible
Justification for data waiving:
other:
Endpoint:
hydrolysis
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
supporting study
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
other: basic information given
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
EU Method C.7 (Degradation: Abiotic Degradation: Hydrolysis as a Function of pH)
Deviations:
yes
Remarks:
the substance is water reactive, hydrolytically unstable.
GLP compliance:
no
Analytical monitoring:
yes
Details on sampling:
- Sampling intervals for the parent/transformation products: after 0, 0.75, 1.5 and 2.25 h
Buffers:
- pH: 4, 7 and 9
- Type and final molarity of buffer: 100 mL commercial buffer solution
Details on test conditions:
TEST SYSTEM
Testing material has been weighed and dissolved in 100 mL commercial buffer solution and warmed to 50 °C. For quantification the warmed solutions have been cooled to room temperature rapidly.

OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Adjustment of pH: with a commercial buffer solution
Duration:
0 h
pH:
4
Initial conc. measured:
989 mg/L
Duration:
0 h
pH:
7
Initial conc. measured:
108 mg/L
Duration:
0 h
pH:
9
Initial conc. measured:
101 mg/L
Duration:
2.25 h
pH:
4
Temp.:
50 °C
Initial conc. measured:
989 mg/L
Duration:
2.25 h
pH:
7
Temp.:
50 °C
Initial conc. measured:
108 mg/L
Duration:
2.25 h
pH:
9
Temp.:
50 °C
Initial conc. measured:
101 mg/L
Transformation products:
yes
No.:
#1
% Recovery:
0
pH:
4
Temp.:
50 °C
Duration:
0.75 h
% Recovery:
0
pH:
7
Temp.:
50 °C
Duration:
0.75 h
% Recovery:
0
pH:
9
Duration:
0.75 h
pH:
4
Remarks on result:
other: The substance is hydrolysed immediately
pH:
7
Remarks on result:
other: The substance is hydrolysed immediately
pH:
9
Remarks on result:
other: The substance is hydrolysed immediately

The substance is hydrolysed immediately to methanol at any pH both at room temeprature and at 50 °C.

Description of key information

Potassium methanolate reacts vigorously on contact with water forming methanol and potassium hydroxide.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Additional information

Potassium methanolate is an extremely strong conjugated base. In contact with water, potassium methanolate reacts violently exothermic forming potassium hydroxide and methanol (OECD, 2002). The heat of this exothermic reaction may be sufficient to ignite surrounding combustible materials or potassium methanolate itself, particularly if there is only little water available. A study investigating the hydrolyis of potassium methanolate according to EU Method C7 determined an immediate hydrolyses of the substance to methanol at the tested pH values 4, 7 and 9 (0% recovery after 0.75 h).
The spontaneous degradation products methanol and potassium hydroxide are hydrolytically stable since they do not contain any chemical groups associated with hydrolysis. In addition, methanol is considered to be readily biodegradable. Thus, in accordance with Annex VIII, column 2 no hydrolysis testing is needed.