3811-04-9 Usage
Description
Potassium chlorate is a transparent, colorless crystal or white powder that is soluble in boiling water and decomposes at approximately 750°F (398°C), releasing oxygen gas. It is a strong oxidizer and forms explosive mixtures with combustible materials, such as sugar and sulfur. Potassium chlorate is incompatible with sulfuric acid, other acids, and organic material. It is an important compound widely used in various fields, including the chemical industry, agriculture, and medicine.
Uses
Used in Fireworks Industry:
Potassium chlorate is used as an oxidizer in fireworks for its explosive nature, which plays an important role in burning the firecracker at a fast rate.
Used in Pyrotechnics Industry:
Potassium chlorate is used as a component of smoke composition to produce smoke grenades due to its oxidizing property.
Used in Disinfection Applications:
Potassium chlorate is used as a disinfectant for preparing chlorine dioxide, an effective disinfectant often applied to water for eliminating bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and odor-causing compounds.
Used in Medicine:
Potassium chlorate is used in medicine to treat pneumonia and gas poisoning, as well as employed as an oxygen-supply system for aircraft, space stations, and submarines.
Used in Agriculture:
Potassium chlorate is helpful in the cultivation of dormant trees, such as Longan trees, to increase the yield of fruits when treated with potassium chlorate.
Used in Chemical Industry:
Potassium chlorate is used as an oxidizing agent in the manufacture of explosives and matches, in pyrotechnics, and as a source of oxygen. It is also used in chemical analyses and for printing and dyeing cotton and wool black, as well as in the manufacture of aniline black and other dyes.
Used in Micro-Smoke Cold Fireworks:
Potassium chlorate is used in micro-smoke cold fireworks containing bright beads.
Note: The use of potassium perchlorate is recommended instead of potassium chlorate due to its hazardous nature when used as a source of oxygen upon heating.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_chlorate
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/4uses-of-potassium-chlorate.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/198957-potassium-chlorate-uses/
Air & Water Reactions
Soluble in water.
Reactivity Profile
Metal chlorates are oxidants in the presence of strong acid; liberates explosive chlorine dioxide gas; liberates chlorine dioxide and carbon dioxide by heating a moist metal chlorate and a dibasic organic acid ; mixtures of perchlorates with sulfur or phosphorus are explosives [Bretherick 1979. p. 100]; mixtures of the chlorate with ammonium salts, powdered metals, silicon, sulfur, or sulfides are readily ignited and potentially explosive [Bretherick 1979. p. 806]. A combination of finely divided aluminum with finely divided bromates (also chlorates and iodates) of barium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, or zinc can explode by heat, percussion, and friction [Mellor 2:310 1946-47]. An explosion occurred during heating of a mixture of potassium chlorate and magnesium [Chem. Eng. News 14:451. 1936]. Gaseous ammonia, mixed with air reacts so vigorously with potassium chlorate that the reaction could become dangerous [Mellor 8:217. 1946-47]. A mixture of potassium chlorate and sodium amide explodes [Mellor 8:258. 1946-47]. If a drop of a solution of sulfur dioxide in ether or alcohol is added to powdered potassium chlorate, the mass explodes [Mellor 2:311. 1946-47]. Potassium chlorate and sulfuric acid react to cause fire and possible explosions [Mellor 2:315. 1946-47].
Hazard
Forms explosive mixture with combustible
materials (sulfur, sugar, etc.); strong oxidizing
agent.
Health Hazard
Inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.
Fire Hazard
These substances will accelerate burning when involved in a fire. Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire. May explode from heat or contamination. Some will react explosively with hydrocarbons (fuels). May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
Flammability and Explosibility
Nonflammable
Safety Profile
Moderately toxic to
humans by an unspecified route. Moderately
toxic experimentally by ingestion and
intraperitoneal routes. A gastrointestinal
tract and kidney irritant. Can cause
hemolysis of red blood cells and
methemoglobinemia. Toxic dose to a human
is about 5 g.
Potential Exposure
Potassium chlorate is used in the manufacture of soap, glass, pottery, and many potassium salts; as an oxidizing agent; in explosives; matches, textile printing; disinfectants, and bleaching.
Shipping
UN1479 Potassium chlorate, Hazard Class: 5.1; Labels: 5.1-Oxidizer. UN2427 Potassium chlorate, aqueous solution, Hazard Class: 5.1; Labels: 5.1-Oxidizer, Technical Name Required.
Purification Methods
It has been recrystallised from water (1.8mL/g) between 100o and 0o, and the crystals were filtered onto sintered glass. Keep away from organic material as it oxidises them readily.
Incompatibilities
A strong oxidizer. Potentially explosive. Decomposes on heating above 400C, on contact with strong acids producing toxic fumes including chlorine dioxide, chlorine fume, s and oxygen. Violent reaction with combustibles, oxidizers, strong acids; and reducing materials. Attacks many metals in presence of water.
Check Digit Verification of cas no
The CAS Registry Mumber 3811-04-9 includes 7 digits separated into 3 groups by hyphens. The first part of the number,starting from the left, has 4 digits, 3,8,1 and 1 respectively; the second part has 2 digits, 0 and 4 respectively.
Calculate Digit Verification of CAS Registry Number 3811-04:
(6*3)+(5*8)+(4*1)+(3*1)+(2*0)+(1*4)=69
69 % 10 = 9
So 3811-04-9 is a valid CAS Registry Number.
InChI:InChI=1/ClHO3.K/c2-1(3)4;/h(H,2,3,4);/q;+1/p-1