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Potassium chlorate

Properties

General

Name Potassium chlorate
Chemical formula KClO3
Appearance Crystalline white solid

Physical

Formula weight 122.54 amu
Melting point 630 K (357 °C)
Boiling point decomposes at about 673 K (400 °C)
Density 2.32 ×103 kg/m3
Crystal structure ?
Solubility 5 g in 100g cold water, 36 grams in 100g boiling water.

Safety

Ingestion May cause GI irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
Inhalation Irritation, long term exposure may be fatal.
Skin Low hazard.
Eyes Low hazard.
Other Care should be taken when mixed with combustibles: explosion of fire hazard. Oxidizing agent.

SI units were used where possible. Unless otherwise stated, standard conditions were used.

Disclaimer and references

Potassium chlorate is a compound containing potassium, chlorine and oxygen.

Formula: KClO3
Melting point: 368°C

Used as:

  1. An oxidizing agent.
  2. A disinfectant / bleach.
  3. Explosives / Fireworks.

Potassium chlorate should be handled with care. It reacts vigorously and in some cases spontaneously when mixed with many combustible materials. It is used in some traditional recipes for gunpowder, some of which are unstable. When mixed with some materials it forms a high explosive.


Burning sugar with KClO3.
A description how to make it is available [here]. Don't try this unless you are an experienced chemist!

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