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Potassium chlorate has multiple uses and applications. Some of them are:
- Manufacture of fireworks.
- Manufacture of explosives.
- Obtaining oxygen.
- Manufacture of matches (matches).
- oxidant.
- Manufacture of disinfectants and bleaches.
How to make potassium chlorate at home?
You can make potassium chlorate from regular household bleach and the salt substitute potassium chloride. This mixture works because the potassium in the salt substitute displaces the sodium in the sodium chlorate that is produced by boiling the lye.
Therefore, only two ingredients are necessary to be able to make potassium chlorate at home: chlorine or bleach and potassium chloride, better known as a salt substitute.
It is important to check the label of the salt substitute to verify that its ingredient is, in fact, only potassium chloride. Although the salt substitute is usually pure potassium chloride, a mixture of sodium chloride (table salt) and potassium chloride is sometimes marketed. Therefore, in order to prepare potassium chlorate, it is essential that the salt substitute be potassium chloride alone, without any additions.
Also, it should be noted that household bleach has a limited shelf life, so it is preferable to use a new bleach or one that has not been open for a long time.
Preparation of potassium chlorate
To prepare potassium chlorate at home, you can follow the instructions below:
1. Boil a certain volume (at least half a liter) of lye, until crystals begin to form. Do this outdoors or under a fume hood to avoid inhaling the vapor. You can also put on a mask. Boiling lye transforms sodium hypochlorite into sodium chloride and sodium chlorate according to the following reaction:
3 NaClO → 2 NaCl + NaClO
2. As soon as crystals start to form, remove the lye from the heat and allow it to cool.
3. In a separate container, make a potassium chloride solution by stirring the potassium chloride in the water until no more dissolves.
4. Mix equal volumes of the boiled lye solution and the potassium chloride solution, taking care to keep solids from both solutions out of the mix. A substitution or single replacement reaction will occur. The two products are separated based on their solubility. The potassium chlorate will precipitate out, leaving the sodium chloride in solution. This is the reaction that occurs:
KCl + NaClO3 → NaCl + KClO3
5. Chill the solution in the freezer to increase the production of potassium chlorate.
6. Filter the mixture through filter paper or a coffee filter. Retain the potassium chlorate in a solid state and discard the sodium chloride solution.
7. Allow the potassium chlorate to dry before storing or using it.
Warnings on the use of this chemical
This preparation must be done by an adult, or under the supervision of a responsible adult. Undiluted bleach, if splashed, can cause skin irritation and damage eyes and mucous membranes.
The entire mixing process must be carried out outdoors or under an extractor hood, since irritating vapors are released during preparation. Also, collected potassium chlorate should be kept away from heat or flame until ready to use.
Bibliography
- Petrucci, R. General Chemistry . (2017). Spain. pearson.
- Valenzuela Calahorro, C. General and inorganic chemistry for pharmacy students. (2002). Spain. Editorial University of Granada.
- Thi Nguyen-Kim, M. My life is chemistry. (2020). Spain. Editorial Ariel.
