Potassium chlorate

Potassium chlorate

Names
Other names Potassium chlorate(V), Potcrate
Identifiers
CAS Number	3811-04-9 Y
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	18512 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.021.173
EC Number	223-289-7
PubChem CID	6426889
RTECS number	FO0350000
UNII	H35KS68EE7 Y
UN number	1485
InChI InChI=1S/ClHO3.K/c2-1(3)4;/h(H,2,3,4);/q;+1/p-1 Y Key: VKJKEPKFPUWCAS-UHFFFAOYSA-M Y InChI=1/ClHO3.K/c2-1(3)4;/h(H,2,3,4);/q;+1/p-1 Key: VKJKEPKFPUWCAS-REWHXWOFAC
SMILES [K+].[O-]Cl(=O)=O
Properties
Chemical formula	KClO3
Molar mass	122.55 g mol−1
Appearance	white crystals or powder
Density	2.32 g/cm3
Melting point	356 °C (673 °F; 629 K)
Boiling point	400 °C (752 °F; 673 K) decomposes
Solubility in water	3.13 g/100 mL (0 °C) 4.46 g/100 mL (10 °C) 8.15 g/100 mL (25 °C) 13.21 g/100 mL (40 °C) 53.51 g/100 mL (100 °C) 183 g/100 g (190 °C) 2930 g/100 g (330 °C)
Solubility	soluble in glycerol negligible in acetone and liquid ammonia
Solubility in glycerol	1 g/100 g (20 °C)
Magnetic susceptibility (χ)	−42.8·10−6 cm3/mol
Refractive index (nD)	1.40835
Structure
Crystal structure	monoclinic
Thermochemistry
Specific heat capacity (C)	100.25 J/mol·K
Std molar entropy (So298)	142.97 J/mol·K
Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfHo298)	−391.2 kJ/mol
Gibbs free energy (ΔfG˚)	-289.9 kJ/mol
Hazards
Safety data sheet	ICSC 0548
GHS pictograms
GHS signal word	Danger
GHS hazard statements	H271, H302, H332, H411
GHS precautionary statements	P220, P273
EU classification (DSD)	O N Xn
R-phrases	R9, R20/22, R51/53
S-phrases	(S2), S13, S16, S27, S61
NFPA 704	0 2 3 OX
Flash point	400 °C (752 °F; 673 K)
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (median dose)	1870 mg/kg (oral, rat)
Related compounds
Other anions	Potassium bromate Potassium iodate
Other cations	Ammonium chlorate Sodium chlorate Barium chlorate
Related compounds	Potassium chloride Potassium hypochlorite Potassium chlorite Potassium perchlorate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Y  (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

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. It is used

On the industrial scale, potassium chlorate is produced by the Liebig process: passing chlorine into hot calcium hydroxide, subsequently adding potassium chloride: .

The electrolysis of KCl in aqueous solution is also used sometimes, in which the chloride ions formed at the anode react with KOH in situ. The low solubility of KClO₃ in water causes the salt to conveniently isolate itself from the reaction mixture by simply precipitating out of solution.

Potassium chlorate can be produced in small amounts by disproportionation in a sodium hypochlorite solution followed by metathesis reaction with potassium chloride:

It can also be produced by passing chlorine gas into a hot solution of caustic potash:

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.