Products
Pure potassium chlorate is available in specialized stores. It should not be confused with potassium chloride, which in the past and in alternative medicine was still called Kalium chloratum.
Structure and properties
Potassium chlorate (KClO3, Mr = 122.55 g/mol) is the potassium salt of chloric acid (HClO3). It exists as a white, crystalline and odorless powder and is readily soluble in water. When heated, oxygen is released, especially together with a catalyst such as manganese dioxide (MnO2):
- 2 KClO3 (potassium chlorate) 3 O2 (oxygen) + 2 KCl (potassium chloride)
Effects
Potassium chlorate has strong oxidizing properties, which are based on the release of oxygen.
Fields of application
- Potassium chlorate is no longer used medicinally today, unlike in the past.
- For the production of matches and fireworks (pyrotechnics).
- For the production of oxygen in the laboratory.
For chemistry experiments (chemistry classes): If potassium chlorate and sugar (sucrose) are mixed and a drop of sulfuric acid is added as a catalyst, there is a violent reaction with a purple flame, a lot of smoke and a lot of heat. The sucrose is oxidized to carbon dioxide and water. Gumdrops are also used, which are known to contain a lot of sugar.
- C12H22O11 (sucrose) + 8 KClO3 (potassium chlorate) 12 CO2 (carbon dioxide) + 11 H2O (water) + 8 KCl (potassium chloride)
Abuse
Potassium chlorate can be misused for the illegal production of explosives. It is one of the precursors for explosives.
Adverse effects
Potassium chlorate must be handled with care. It has oxidizing properties as a strong oxidizer and can cause fires and explosions. It reacts with numerous substances. It is highly harmful to health and toxic to aquatic organisms if ingested.