The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word POTASH
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
P
O
T
A
S
H
More clues leading to the result POTASH
- Part-time soldiers in stylish compound
- Drug has unusual chemical compound
- Fertiliser in container for plants, timber
- Agricultural chemical from tea tree
- Luxurious setting for army compound
- Half of spuds hidden by second-hand agricultural compound
- Classy when receiving thanks for chemical compound
- Alkaline compound ordered at shop
- Fertiliser compound contrarily rested in spring
- Prize tree required fertiliser
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Alkaline compound" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case alkaline compound = potash.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does POTASH mean?
POTASH noun- The water-soluble part of the ash formed by burning plant material; used for making soap and glass and as a fertilizer.
- An impure form of potassium carbonate (K2CO3) mixed with other potassium salts.
- Potassium. Chiefly used in the names of compounds of the form "... of potash".
- To treat with potassium.