Sodium Chlorate - NaClO3

Table of Contents

What is Sodium Chlorate?

Sodium chlorate is a powerful oxidising agent produced industrially by the electrolysis of sodium chloride solutions. The chemical formula for sodium chlorate is NaClO3. It is a white crystalline solid form of cubic crystals with hygroscopicity. It decomposes slowly at about 300oC to oxygen and salt. Sodium chlorate is produced electrolytically from sodium chloride. In this process, the pH of the reaction must be strictly controlled to obtain sodium chlorate as a product and the temperature is elevated and kept at 70oC.

Other names – Chloric acid sodium salt, Chlorate de sodium

NaClO3 Sodium Chlorate
Density 2.5 g/cm³
Molecular Weight/ Molar Mass 106.44 g/mol
Boiling Point 300–400 °C
Melting Point 248–261 °C
Chemical Formula NaClO3

Sodium Chlorate Structure – NaClO3

Sodium Chlorate Structure

Physical Properties of Sodium Chlorate – NaClO3

Odour Odourless
Appearance Pale yellow to white crystalline solid
Covalently-Bonded Unit 2
Heat capacity 298.15 K, J/mol·K
Complexity 49.8
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor 3
Solubility Soluble in water and glycerol

Chemical Properties of Sodium Chlorate – NaClO3

          • Sodium Chlorate reacts with potassium bromide and hydrochloric acid forms potassium chloride, sodium chloride, bromine and water.

NaClO3 + 6KBr + 6HCl → 6KCl + NaCl + 3H2O + 3Br2

          • Sodium Chlorate reacts with potassium iodide and hydrochloric acid forms sodium chloride, potassium chloride, iodine and water.

NaClO3 + 6KI + 6HCl → NaCl + 3I2 + 3H2O + 6KCl

Uses of Sodium Chlorate – NaClO3

        • It is a commodity chemical that has only one single major use as bleaching pulp in the production of paper.
        • Used in the Solvay process uses sodium chlorate and sulfuric acid, with methanol as the reducing agent.
        • Used as an oxidising agent in the dye-stuffs industry and an oxidising and bleaching agent.
        • Finds additional use in the explosives, match and pharmaceutical industries.
        • Major sodium perchlorate produced is used for the production of other perchlorate and perchloric acid.


Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Q1

What is the formula of Sodium Chlorate?

NaClO3
Q2

What is the Oxidation state of Chlorine in Sodium Chlorate?

The oxidation state of Chlorine in Sodium Chlorate is +5 { 3 × (-2) + (+1) + x =0 , x= +5}.
Q3

How does Sodium Chlorate appear at room temperature?

Neoprene is the first ever discovered synthetic rubber formed by isoprene. Isoprene is obtained by destructive distillation of natural rubber. Neoprene is stronger, harder and more water, oil and solvent resistant than natural rubber.
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