Potassium chlorate

IUPAC Name: potassium chlorate
Synonyms of Potassium chlorate (CAS NO.3811-04-9): Anforstan ; Berthollet salt ;Chlorate de potassium ;Chloric acid potassium salt (1:1) ;Potassium oxymuriate
CAS NO: 3811-04-9
Molecular Formula: ClKO₃
Molecular Weight: 122.55
Molecular Structure:
EINECS: 223-289-7 
H bond acceptors: 3
H bond donors: 1
Freely Rotating Bonds: 0
Polar Surface Area: 54.37 Å²
Melting point: 356 °C(lit.)
Boiling point: 400 °C
Density: 2,32 g/cm³ 
Storage temp.: 2-8 °C  
Water Solubility: 73 g/L (20 °C )  
Sensitive: Hygroscopic 
Appearance: colourless crystals or colourless to white crystalline powder
Stability: Stability Strong oxidizer - contact with combustible material may cause fire. Mixtures with combustible material may be shock-sensitive. Incompatible with organics, combustible materials, strong reducing agents 
Product Categories of Potassium chlorate (CAS NO.3811-04-9): Inorganic Chemicals;Inorganics;Inorganic Salts;Potassium;Synthetic Reagents;Metal and Ceramic Science;Potassium Salts;Salts;Essential Chemicals;Reagent Grade;Routine Reagents;ACS GradeSynthetic Reagents;Analytical Reagents for General Use;O-P, Puriss p.a. ACS;Puriss p.a. ACS
SMILES: [K+].[O-]Cl(=O)=O
InChI: InChI=1/ClHO3.K/c2-1(3)4;/h(H,2,3,4);/q;+1/p-1
InChIKey: VKJKEPKFPUWCAS-REWHXWOFAC
Std. InChI: InChI=1S/ClHO3.K/c2-1(3)4;/h(H,2,3,4);/q;+1/p-1
Std. InChIKey: VKJKEPKFPUWCAS-UHFFFAOYSA-M

 Potassium chlorate (CAS NO.3811-04-9) is used as an oxidizing agent, to prepare oxygen, as a disinfectant, in safety matches, and in explosives and fireworks. It is also used in cultivation, forcing the blossoming stage of a Longan tree, causing it to produce fruit in warmer climates.

In industry, Potassium chlorate (CAS NO.3811-04-9) is produced by the electrolysis of a sodium chloride solution to form sodium chlorate, which is reacted with potassium chloride to precipitate potassium chlorate. The resultant sodium chloride is returned to the mother liquor for electrolysis. Besides, it can also be produced on a smaller scale by the thermal disproportionation of a hypochlorite to its respective chlorate and chloride by boiling, then adding KCl. This reaction should be done in a fume hood due to the production of chlorine and chlorine dioxide gas.

Reported in EPA TSCA Inventory.

Safety Information for Potassium chlorate (CAS NO.3811-04-9):
Hazard Codes: OXnN
Risk Statements: 9-20/22-51/53
R9: Explosive when mixed with combustible material. 
R20/22: Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed. 
R51/53: Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
Safety Statements: 13-16-27-61
S13: Keep away from food, drink and animal foodstuffs. 
S16: Keep away from sources of ignition. 
S27: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. 
S61: Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special instructions / safety data sheets.
RIDADR: UN 1485 5.1/PG 2
WGK Germany: 2
RTECS: FO0350000
HazardClass: 5.1
PackingGroup: II
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.

A powerful oxidizer and very reactive material. It has been the cause of many industrial explosions. May explode on heating. Explosive reactions with ammonium chloride, aqua regia + ruthenium, sulfur dioxide solutions in ether or ethanol. Reacts with fluorine to form the explosive gas fluorine perchlorate.

Forms sensitive explosive mixtures with agricultural materials (e.g., peat, powdered sulfur, sawdust, thiuram), aluminum + antimony trisulfide powders, arsenic trisulfide, carbon, charcoal + potassium nitrate + sulfur, charcoal + sulfur, cyanides, cyanoguanidine, hydrocarbons, manganese dioxide + traces of organic matter, manganese dioxide + potassium hydroxide, metal + wood, metal phosphides (e.g., tricopper diphosphide, trimercury tetraphosphide), metal phosphinates (e.g., barium phosphinate), finely divided metals (e.g., aluminum, copper, magnesium, zinc, germanium, titanium, zirconium, steel, chromium), metal phosphides (e.g., tricopper diphosphide, trimercury tetraphosphide), metal sulfides (e.g., antimony trisulfide, silver sulfide), metal thiocyanates (e.g., ammonium thiocyanate, barium thiocyanate), nitric acid + organic materials, powdered nonmetals (e.g., arsenic, carbon, phosphorus, sulfur, boron), reducing agents (e.g., calcium hydride, strontium hydride, sodium phosphinate, calcium phosphinate, barium phosphinate), sugars (e.g., glucose), sulfur, sulfur + metal derivatives (e.g., cobalt, cobalt oxide, copper nitride, copper sulfate, copper chlorate), sulfuric acid, sodium amide, tannic acid.

Violent reaction or ignition with NH₃, NH₄Cl, NH₄₊ salts, ammonium sulfate, Sb₂S₃, As, barium hypophosphite, BaS, calcium hypophosphite, CaS, charcoal, Cu₃P₂, fabrics, gallic acid, hydrogen iodide, lactose, (Mg + CuSO₄ (anhydrous) + NH₄NO₃ + H₂O), MnO₂, dinickel trioxide, dibasic organic acids, organic matter, NaNH₂, sugar + sulfuric acid, sucrose, SO₂, H₂SO₄, thiocyanates, thorium dicarbide, sodium amide, fabrics, KOH, metal hypophosphites.

When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of Cl⁻ and K₂O. Used in the manufacture of soap, glass, and pottery. See also CHLORATES.

DOT Classification:  5.1; Label: Oxidizer

General Information: As in any fire, wear a self-contained breathing apparatus in pressure-demand, MSHA/NIOSH (approved or equivalent), and full protective gear. Strong oxidizer. Contact with other material may cause fire. Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool.
Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or chemical foam. 
Handling: Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. Use spark-proof tools and explosion proof equipment. Avoid breathing dust, vapor, mist, or gas. Avoid contact with skin and eyes.
Storage: Keep away from heat, sparks, and flame. Do not store near combustible materials. Store in a cool, dry place. Store in a tightly closed container. Keep away from strong acids.