What Is Potassium Perchlorate?
Potassium perchlorate, with the chemical formula KClO4, is a potassium salt of perchloric acid. As an oxidizing agent common to perchlorates, it exhibits significant oxidizing properties. Its CAS number is 7778-74-7.
Uses of Potassium Perchlorate
Historically used in solid-fuel rockets, potassium perchlorate is now employed in explosives, fireworks, and as a raw material for signal flares, owing to its ability to produce intense flames. Additionally, it serves as an analytical reagent in ion-pair chromatography and in medical applications as an antithyroid drug.
Properties of Potassium Perchlorate
1. Appearance and Solubility
This compound appears as a colorless or white crystalline powder, insoluble in water and almost insoluble in ethanol, requiring a large volume of cold water to dissolve.
2. Crystal Stability
Unlike sodium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate is stable in crystalline form, not exhibiting deliquescence.
3. Thermal Behavior and Fire Hazard
Upon heating above 400℃, potassium perchlorate decomposes, releasing oxygen. This can oxidize organic matter, posing fire risks and exacerbating fires by supplying oxygen.
4. Oxidizing Power
Its oxidizing ability is attributed to chlorine being in its highest oxidation state (+7), enabling it to oxidize other substances while reducing itself.
Other Information on Potassium Perchlorate
1. Iodine Uptake Inhibition
By competing with iodine ions for uptake transporters, potassium perchlorate can modulate thyroid function, leveraging its similarity in ionic size to iodine. This is utilized both therapeutically and diagnostically in thyroid management.
2. Ion-Pair Liquid Chromatography
As an ion-pair reagent, potassium perchlorate enhances the performance of ion-pair liquid chromatography by stabilizing associations with organic cations, minimizing unwanted column interactions.
3. Hazards and Toxicity
Potassium perchlorate’s oxidizing nature can lead to fires or explosions when in contact with organic materials. It poses risks of skin and eye irritation, respiratory irritation, and blood system damage upon long-term exposure.
4. Regulations
It is regulated under multiple laws, including the Industrial Safety and Health Law and the Fire Service Law, as a hazardous oxidizing substance and a Class 1 oxidizing solid, respectively. Additionally, it is recognized under transportation and chemical substance control regulations.