Superoxide salts are used to generate oxygen gas on space flights and submarines. Superoxides undergo hydrolysis (a reaction with water) to generate oxygen gas, hydrogen peroxide and potassium hydroxide:

2KO₂(s) + 2H₂O(g) → 2KOH(s) + H₂O₂(g) + O₂(g)              Δ_rxnH° = +64.95 kJ mol^–1    reaction 1

H₂O₂(g) → H₂O(g) + ½O₂(g)                                              Δ_rxnH° = –146.9 kJ mol^–1     reaction 2

2KOH(s) + CO₂(s) → K₂CO₃(s) + H₂O(g)                              Δ_rxnH° = –146.9 kJ mol^–1     reaction 3

KOH(s) + CO₂(s) → KHCO₃(s)                                              Δ_rxnH° = –145.0 kJ mol^–1     reaction 4

4KO₂(s) + 4CO₂(g) + 2H₂O(g) → 4KHCO₃(s) + 3O₂(g)         Δ_rxnH° = ?                           reaction 5