What is the Difference Between Potassium Chlorate and Potassium Perchlorate

Potassium chlorate and potassium perchlorate are inorganic compounds with oxidizing properties. They are mostly used in fireworks due to their strong oxidizing properties.

What is the difference between potassium chlorate and potassium perchlorate? Potassium chlorate has three oxygen atoms, while potassium perchlorate has only four oxygen atoms.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Potassium Chlorate  
      – Definition, Features 
2. What is Potassium Perchlorate
      – Definition, Features 
3. Similarities Between Potassium Chlorate and Potassium Perchlorate
      – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Potassium Chlorate and Potassium Perchlorate 
      – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Potassium Chlorate and Potassium Perchlorate
      – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Berthollet’s Salt, Chlorate Candles, KClO₃, KClO₄, Potassium Chlorate, Potassium Perchlorate

What is Potassium Chlorate

Potassium chlorate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula KClO₃. It is a white crystalline solid. It has strong oxidizing properties and is very soluble in water. Potassium chlorate consists of a potassium cation (K⁺) and a chlorate anion (ClO₃⁻). The chlorate ion has a pyramidal structure. It easily releases oxygen because it is an oxidizing agent. Moreover, it is a highly reactive compound.

Potassium chlorate, also known as Berthollet’s salt, has many uses due to its reactivity and oxidizing properties. Potassium chlorate has been used in fireworks and in other pyrotechnic devices. Moreover, potassium chlorate is useful in chemical oxygen generators. Thus, they are also known as chlorate candles. These produce breathable oxygen by controlled reactions, which are used in enclosed places like aircraft and submarines. In laboratories, they are useful as a source of oxygen for experiments. Potassium chlorate is flammable and can ignite spontaneously if it is mixed with combustible materials.

What is Potassium Perchlorate

Potassium perchlorate is a white crystalline solid with the chemical formula KClO₄. Potassium perchlorate consists of a potassium cation (K⁺) and a perchlorate anion (ClO₄⁻). The perchlorate ion has a tetrahedral shape, with the chlorine atom at the center. The perchlorate ion can readily accept electrons from other species due to its strong oxidizing properties. Potassium perchlorate is relatively stable under normal conditions, but it can decompose violently when heated to high temperatures or when mixed with certain reducing agents. 

Potassium perchlorate has many uses. It is used in fireworks. Moreover, it is used to ignite heads of matches. It also has applications in the fields of agriculture, analytical chemistry, and electrochemistry.

Similarities Between Potassium Chlorate and Potassium Perchlorate

1. Potassium chlorate and potassium perchlorate are salts with potassium ions.
2. Both are strong oxidizing agents.
3. They are used in fireworks.
4. Both are white crystalline solids.

Difference Between Potassium Chlorate and Potassium Perchlorate

Definition

• Potassium chlorate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula KClO₃ whereas potassium perchlorate is a white crystalline solid with the chemical formula KClO₄.

Chlorine Atom

• In potassium chlorate, the chlorine atom has an oxidation state of +5, while in potassium perchlorate, the chlorine atom has an oxidation state of +7.

Stability

• Potassium chlorate is less stable than potassium perchlorate.

Reactivity

• Potassium chlorate is more reactive than potassium perchlorate. In fact, potassium chlorate is more reactive with organic substances than potassium perchlorate.

Toxicity

• Potassium perchlorate is less toxic than potassium chlorate.

Conclusion

Potassium chlorate and potassium perchlorate are inorganic compounds that are mostly used in fireworks. The main difference between potassium chlorate and potassium perchlorate is the number of oxygen atoms in the anion. Potassium chlorate has three oxygen atoms, while potassium perchlorate has only four oxygen atoms.

FAQ: Potassium Chlorate and Potassium Perchlorate

1. What is the difference between chlorate and perchlorate?

Chlorate and perchlorate are both oxyanions of chlorine. Perchlorate has one more oxygen atom than chlorate. Chlorate is a weaker oxidizing agent compared to perchlorate.

2. How do you make potassium perchlorate from potassium chlorate?

Potassium perchlorate can be synthesized from potassium chlorate by heating it in the presence of a catalyst like manganese dioxide.

3. What is another name for potassium chlorate?

Potassium chlorate is also known as Berthollet’s salt. It is a powerful oxidizing agent and was once used in fireworks and matches.

4. What is the difference between potassium perchlorate and potassium chloride?

The basic difference between potassium perchlorate and potassium chloride is that potassium perchlorate is a strong oxidizing agent, while potassium chloride is a simple salt.

5. What is potassium perchlorate used for?

Potassium perchlorate is a strong oxidizing agent used in fireworks, explosives, and matches. It is also used as a source of oxygen in rocket propellants.

Reference:

1. “Potassium Chlorate.” Science Direct.
2. “Potassium Perchlorate.” Science Direct.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Potassium chlorate-substance” By Original uploader was Chemik10 at pl.wikipedia – Transferred from pl.wikipedia; transferred to Commons by User:Pjahr using CommonsHelper. (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Perclorato de Potássio” By Taz Rodrigues Lopes – www.flickr.com (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia