Question

1. Find the MSDS for potassium chlorate. a) Are there any health hazards associated with this material, and what conditions produce these hazards?
b) Under what conditions does it produce fire or explosion hazards?
c) Since this experiment involves high temperatures, what are the melting point and decomposition temperature for potassium chlorate? melting temperature _________ decomposition temperature _________
d) Based on these values, what will you see happening to the potassium chlorate solid as you begin heating it to high temperatures

Answer 1

HEATH HAZARDS OF POTASSIUM CHLORATE

1. Inhalation of pottassium chlorate can irritate the nose, throat and lungs causing sneezing,coughing and sore throat.

2. Contact with eye and skin leads to irritation and burns.

3. High levels exposure to pottassium chlorate can interfere with the ability of the blood to carry oxygen causing headache, weakness, dizziness and a blue color to the skin (methemoglobinemia).

4. Higher levels can cause trouble breathing, collapse and even death.

5. Repeated exposure may affect the kidneys and nervous system.

If Safe work practices are not followed potassium chlorate leads to heath hazards.

WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE

Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release.

If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn.

Wear protective work clothing.

vWash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Potassium Chlorate and at the end of the workshift.

Conditions that leads to explosion and produces fire of potassium chlorate.

1. Potassium chlorate is stable under normal conditions of use.

2. Damp storage conditions shall be avoided.

3. It is corrosive to metals in the presence of moisture. May explode on heating.

4. May explode on ignition when mixed with finely divided combustible materials.

5. Potassium chlorate is very reactive with Ammonium salts, amines, metals in powder form and with their oxides, sulphur and sulphur containing compounds.

6. It is also reactive with cyanides, carbon. Potassium nitrate. Strong acids, flammable solvents, combustible materials.

Decomposition products released from potassium chlorate.:-

Thermal decomposition may release noxious, toxic or corrosive gases or vapours.   Oxygen is readily liberated when product is heated and can burn with explosive violence when fuels or organic materials are present. Reaction with strong acids will liberate chlorine.

Melting temperature :- 356 °C

Decomposition temperature:- ~ 400 °C.

When potassium chlorate heated strongly, decomposes into potassium chloride and oxygen.

2 KClO_3(s) → 3 O_2(g) + 2 KCl_(s

Heating it in the absence of a catalyst converts it into potassium perchlorate:

4 KClO3 → 3 KClO4 + KCl

With further heating, potassium perchlorate decomposes to potassium chloride and oxygen:

KClO4 → KCl + 2 O2

The safe performance of this reaction requires very pure reagents and careful temperature control. Molten potassium chlorate is an extremely powerful oxidizer and spontaneously reacts with many common materials such as sugar.

Explosions have resulted from liquid chlorates spattering into the latex or PVC tubes of oxygen generators, as well as from contact between chlorates and hydrocarbon sealing greases.

Impurities in potassium chlorate itself can also cause problems.

When working with a new batch of potassium chlorate, it is advisable to take a small sample (~1 gram) and heat it strongly on an open glass plate.

Contamination may cause this small quantity to explode, indicating that the chlorate should be discarded.

Uses of potassium chlorate

1. as an oxidizing agent,

2. to prepare oxygen,

3. as a disinfectant,

4. in safety matches,

5. in explosives and fireworks,

6. in cultivation, forcing the blossoming stage of the Longan tree, causing it to produce fruit in warmer climates.[6]