Complementary to its reactivity toward acids, KOH attacks oxides. So, SiO2 is attacked by KOH to give soluble potassium silicates. KOH reacts with carbon dioxide to present potassium bicarbonate: Amyl Nitrite: Amyl Nitrite is often inhaled and works by oxidizing hemoglobin into methemoglobin, which has a greater binding affinity for cyanide, ass