Potassium chlorate

**Properties**
General
Name	Potassium chlorate
Chemical formula	K ClO₃
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:

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!

Categories: Chlorates | Pyrotechnic chemicals

Last updated: 08-21-2005 06:51:20

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