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CAS Number 3811-04-9
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Linear Formula KClO3
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Molecular Weight 122.55
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EC Number 223-289-7
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MDL number MFCD00011361
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PubChem Substance ID 329752797
Potassium chlorate is a compound containing potassium, chlorine and oxygen atoms, with the molecular formula KClO3.
In its pure form, it is a white crystalline substance. It is the most common chlorate in industrial use.
Detailed Description:
It is used
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as an oxidizing agent,
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to prepare oxygen,
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as a disinfectant,
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in safety matches,
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in explosives and fireworks,
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in cultivation, forcing the
blossoming stage of the longan tree,
causing it to produce fruit in warmer climates.
Uses
Potassium chlorate was one key ingredient in early firearms percussion caps (primers). It
continues in that application, where not supplanted by potassium perchlorate.
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.
Another application of potassium chlorate is as the
oxidizer in a smoke composition such as that used in smoke grenades. Since 2005, a
cartridge with potassium chlorate mixed with lactose and rosin is used for
generating the white smoke signalling the election of new pope by a papal conclave.[10]
Potassium chlorate is often used in high school and
college laboratories to generate oxygen gas.[citation needed] It is a far cheaper source than a
pressurized or cryogenic oxygen tank. Potassium chlorate readily decomposes if
heated while 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:
2 KClO3(s) → 3 O2(g) + 2 KCl(s)
Heating it in the absence of a catalyst converts it
into potassium perchlorate:[9]
4 KClO3 → 3 KClO4 + KCl
With further heating, potassium perchlorate
decomposes to potassium chloride and oxygen:
KClO4 → KCl + 2 O2
The safe performance of this reaction requires very
pure reagents and careful temperature control. Molten potassium chlorate is an
extremely powerful oxidizer and spontaneously reacts with many common materials
such as sugar. 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.
Potassium chlorate is used also as a pesticide. In Finland it was
sold under trade name Fegabit.
Potassium chlorate can react with sulfuric acid to
form a highly reactive solution of chloric acid and potassium sulfate:
2 KClO3 + H2SO4 → 2 HClO3 + K2SO4
The solution so produced is sufficiently reactive
that it spontaneously ignites if combustible material (sugar, paper, etc.) is
present.
In schools, molten potassium chlorate is used in the
dramatic screaming jelly babies demonstration.
In chemical labs it is used to oxidize HCl and
release small amounts of gaseous chlorine.
Insurgents in Afghanistan also use potassium
chlorate extensively as a key component in the production of improvised explosive
devices. When significant effort was made to reduce the
availability of ammonium nitrate fertilizer in
Afghanistan, IED makers started using potassium chlorate as a cheap and
effective alternative. In 2013, 60% of IEDs in Afghanistan used potassium
chlorate, making it the most common ingredient used in IEDs.
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