Potassium chlorate is a compound containing potassium, chlorine and oxygen, with the chemical formula KClO₃. In pure form, it is a white crystalline substance. It is the most common chlorate in industrial use, and is usually present in well-stocked laboratories. It is used Solubility is a chemical property referring to the ability for a given substance, the solute, to dissolve in a solvent. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... Enargite crystals In mineralogy and crystallography, a crystal structure is a unique arrangement of atoms in a crystal. ... Council Directive 67/548/EEC of 27 June 1967 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances (as amended) is the main European Union law concerning chemical safety. ... NFPA 704 is a standard maintained by the U.S. National Fire Protection Association. ... Image File history File links NFPA_704. ... R-phrases are defined in Annex III of European Union Directive 67/548/EEC: Nature of special risks attributed to dangerous substances and preparations. ... S-phrases are defined in Annex IV of European Union Directive 67/548/EEC: Safety advice concerning dangerous substances and preparations. ... For other uses, see Flash point (disambiguation). ... This article is about the electrically charged particle. ... Potassium bromate (KBrO3), is a bromate of potassium and takes the form of white crystals or powder. ... Potassium iodate (KIO3) is a chemical compound. ... This article is about the electrically charged particle. ... Ammonium chlorate, NH4ClO3, is obtained by neutralizing chloric acid with either ammonia or ammonium carbonate, or by precipitating barium, strontium or calcium chlorates with ammonium carbonate or ammonium sulfate, producing the respective carbonate or sulfate precipitate and an ammonium chlorate solution. ... Sodium chlorate (NaClO3) is an oxidizing agent. ... The chemical compound potassium chloride (KCl) is a metal halide composed of potassium and chlorine. ... Potassium perchlorate, chemical formula KClO4, is a strong oxidizer. ... The plimsoll symbol as used in shipping In chemistry, the standard state of a material is its state at 1 bar (100 kilopascals exactly). ... General Name, symbol, number potassium, K, 19 Chemical series alkali metals Group, period, block 1, 4, s Appearance silvery white Standard atomic weight 39. ... General Name, symbol, number chlorine, Cl, 17 Chemical series halogens Group, period, block 17, 3, p Appearance yellowish green Standard atomic weight 35. ... This article is about the chemical element and its most stable form, or dioxygen. ... The chlorate ion Structure and bonding in the chlorate ion The chlorate ion ClO3−. A chlorate (compound) is a compound that contains this group, with chlorine in oxidation state +5. ...

• as an oxidizing agent,
• to prepare oxygen,
• as a disinfectant,
• in safety matches, and
• in explosives and fireworks.

European Union Chemical hazard symbol for oxidizing agents Dangerous goods label for oxidizing agents Oxidizing agent placard An oxidizing agent (also called an oxidant or oxidizer) is A chemical compound that readily transfers oxygen atoms or A substance that gains electrons in a redox chemical reaction. ... This article is about the chemical element and its most stable form, or dioxygen. ... This is an article about antimicrobial agents. ... For other uses, see Match (disambiguation). ... This article is concerned solely with chemical explosives. ... For other uses, see Fireworks (disambiguation). ...

Uses

Potassium chlorate was one key ingredient in early firearms percussion caps (primers) . It continues in that application, where not supplanted by potassium perchlorate. A firearm is a kinetic energy weapon that fires either a single or multiple projectiles propelled at high velocity by the gases produced by action of the rapid confined burning of a propellant. ... The percussion cap or primer was the crucial invention that enabled firearms to fire in any weather. ... Potassium perchlorate, chemical formula KClO4, is a strong oxidizer. ...

Chlorate-based propellants are more efficient than traditional gunpowder and are less susceptible to damage by water. However, they can be extremely unstable in the presence of sulfur or phosphorus and are much more expensive. Chlorate propellants must be used only in equipment designed for them; failure to follow this precaution is a common source of accidents. Potassium chlorate, often in combination with silver fulminate, is used in trick noise-makers known as "crackers", "snappers", "pop-its", or "bang-snaps", a popular type of novelty firework. A propellant is a material that is used to move an object by applying a motive force. ... Gunpowder (also called black powder) is a pyrotechnic composition, an explosive mixture of sulfur, charcoal and potassium nitrate that burns rapidly, producing volumes of hot solids and gases which can be used as a propellant in firearms and fireworks. ... This article is about the chemical element. ... General Name, symbol, number phosphorus, P, 15 Chemical series nonmetals Group, period, block 15, 3, p Appearance waxy white/ red/ black/ colorless Standard atomic weight 30. ... Silver fulminate (AgONC) is an ionic compound of silver and the fulminate anion. ... exploding firecracker A firecracker (also known as a cracker, noisemaker, or banger) is a small explosive device primarily designed to produce a large amount of noise, especially in the form of a loud bang; any visual effect is incidental to this goal. ...

When mixed with a suitable fuel, it may form an explosive material, a so-called Sprengel explosive. The hygroscopic and slightly weaker sodium chlorate is sometimes used as a safer and less expensive substitute for potassium chlorate. In World War I, mixes of potassium chlorate with plasticizers (such as wax) were the most common type of plastic explosive used, often filling grenades and other munitions. When used in explosives as an oxidizer, the explosive is low order meaning it burns rapidly rather than explodes. When mixed with a plasticizer, it may become high order, requiring a blasting cap (generally a commercial #8) to detonate properly. Potassium chlorate is also used in some formulas of gunpowder, generally replacing the less powerful potassium nitrate. This article is concerned solely with chemical explosives. ... Sprengel explosives are a highly generic class of explosives invented by Hermann Sprengel in the 1870s. ... A hygroscopic substance is a substance that absorbs water readily from its surroundings. ... Sodium chlorate (NaClO3) is an oxidizing agent. ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... Plasticizers are additives that soften the materials (usually a plastic or a concrete mix) they are added to. ... candle wax This page is about the substance. ... A C-4 plastic explosive. ... This article is concerned solely with chemical explosives. ... Plasticizers are additives that soften the materials (usually a plastic or a concrete mix) they are added to. ... This article is concerned solely with chemical explosives. ... Class B blasting caps A blasting cap is a small explosive device generally used to detonate a larger, more powerful explosive such as dynamite. ... Gunpowder (also called black powder) is a pyrotechnic composition, an explosive mixture of sulfur, charcoal and potassium nitrate that burns rapidly, producing volumes of hot solids and gases which can be used as a propellant in firearms and fireworks. ... R-phrases   S-phrases   Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ...

Potassium chlorate is often used in highschool and college laboratories to generate oxygen gas; it is a far cheaper source than a pressurized or cryogenic oxygen tank. Potassium chlorate will readily decompose if heated in contact with a catalyst, typically manganese (IV) dioxide (MnO₂). Thus, it may be simply placed in a test tube and heated over a burner. If the test tube is equipped with a one-holed stopper and hose, warm oxygen can be drawn off. The reaction is as follows: It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Catalysis. ... Manganese(IV) oxide (MnO2) is a chemical compound also known as manganese dioxide or manganese oxide. ...

2KClO₃(s) → 3O₂(g) + 2KCl(s)

The safe performance of this reaction requires very pure reagents and careful temperature control. Molten potassium chlorate is an extremely powerful oxidizer and will spontaneously react with many common materials. Explosions have resulted from liquid chlorates spattering into the latex or PVC tubes of oxygen generators, as well as from contact between chlorates and hydrocarbon sealing greases. Impurities in potassium chlorate itself can also cause problems. When working with a new batch of potassium chlorate, it is advisable to take a small sample (~ 1 gram) and heat it strongly on an open glass plate. Contamination may cause this small quantity to explode, indicating that the chlorate should be discarded.

Potassium chlorate is used in chemical oxygen generators (also called chlorate candles or oxygen candles), employed as oxygen-supply systems of e.g. aircraft, space stations, and submarines, and has been responsible for at least one plane crash. A fire on the space station Mir was also traced to this substance. The decomposition of potassium chlorate was also used to provide the oxygen supply for limelights. A chemical oxygen generator is a device that releases oxygen created by a chemical reaction. ... For other uses, see Mir (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Potassium chlorate is used also as a pesticide. In Finland it was sold under trade name Fegabit. A cropduster spreading pesticide. ...

Safety

Potassium chlorate should be handled with care. It reacts vigorously, and in some cases spontaneously ignites or explodes, when mixed with many combustible materials. Sulfur should be avoided in compositions of gunpowder containing potassium chlorate, as these mixtures are prone to spontaneous deflagration. For other uses see fire (disambiguation). ... This article is about the chemical element. ... A log in a fire place. ...

Production

On an industrial scale, potassium chlorate is produced by the electrolysis of a sodium chloride solution to form sodium chlorate, which is reacted with potassium chloride to precipitate potassium chlorate. The resultant sodium chloride is returned to the mother liquor for electrolysis. In chemistry and manufacturing, electrolysis is a method of separating chemically bonded elements and compounds by passing an electric current through them. ...

KClO₃ can also be produced on a smaller scale by the thermal disproportionation of a hypochlorite to its respective chlorate and chloride by boiling, then adding KCl. This reaction should be done in a fume hood due to the production of chlorine and chlorine dioxide gas. Potassium chlorate's insolubility means it is easy to separate from soluble contaminants, but relatively difficult to separate from insoluble ones, for example electrode or cell matter. The hypochlorite ion The hypochlorite ion is ClO−. A hypochlorite compound is a chemical compound containing this group, with chlorine in oxidation state +1. ... A common modern fume hood. ... General Name, symbol, number chlorine, Cl, 17 Chemical series halogens Group, period, block 17, 3, p Appearance yellowish green Standard atomic weight 35. ... Chlorine dioxide is a chemical compound with the formula ClO2. ...

See also

• Chloric acid
• Potassium perchlorate
• Potassium nitrate

Chloric acid, HClO3, is an oxoacid of chlorine, and the formal precursor of chlorate salts. ... Potassium perchlorate, chemical formula KClO4, is a strong oxidizer. ... R-phrases   S-phrases   Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ...

References

• "Chlorate de potassium. Chlorate de sodium", Fiche toxicol. n° 217, Paris:Institut national de recherche et de sécurité, 2000. 4pp.
• Continuous process for the manufacture of potassium chlorate by coupling with a sodium chlorate production plant

External links

• International Chemical Safety Card 0548