Calcium perchlorate

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Calcium perchlorate
Names
IUPAC name
Calcium perchlorate
Other names
Calcium diperchlorate
Properties
Ca(ClO4)2
Molar mass 238.9792 g/mol
Appearance White hygroscopic solid
Odor Odorless
Density 2.651 g/cm3
Melting point 416–417 °C (781–783 °F; 689–690 K) [2]
Boiling point Decomposes
188 g/100 ml (20 °C)
Solubility Slightly soluble in acetone, alcohols, ethyl acetate
Almost insoluble in diethyl ether, glycerol
Solubility in acetone 3.82 g/100 g (25 °C)[1]
Solubility in butanol 5.32 g/100 g (25 °C)
Solubility in diethyl ether 0.26 g/100 g (25 °C)
Solubility in ethanol 6.24 g/100 g (25 °C)
Solubility in ethyl acetate 4.306 g/100 g (25 °C)
Vapor pressure ~0 mmHg
Thermochemistry
-735 kJ/mol
Hazards
Safety data sheet Sigma-Aldrich (tetrahydrate)
Related compounds
Related compounds
Calcium hypochlorite
Calcium chlorate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Calcium perchlorate is a chemical compound, a perchlorate salt with the molecular formula Ca(ClO4)2. It is commonly encountered as tetrahydrate.

Properties

Chemical

Calcium chlorate is a strong oxidizer. It will react with sulfuric acid to release perchloric acid, while calcium sulfate is precipitated.

Ca(ClO4)2 + H2SO4 → CaSO4 + 2 HClO4

If concentrated (98%) sulfuric acid is used, one could prepare anhydrous perchloric acid, though this is very dangerous, since concentrated perchloric acid may explode in contact with organic substances.

Physical

Calcium perchlorate is a white hygroscopic salt, soluble in water, ethanol and methanol.

Availability

Calcium perchlorate is somewhat difficult to purchase from suppliers, being a perchlorate.

In the EU, the sale of perchlorates is regulated, however, per directive level, only sodium and potassium perchlorate are restricted, meaning that unless the member country restricts other perchlorates, calcium perchlorate should not normally be restricted.

Preparation

Calcium perchlorate can be prepared by mixing a supersaturated solution of sodium perchlorate and calcium chloride.

2 NaClO4 + CaCl2 → Ca(ClO4)2 + 2 NaCl

Calcium perchlorate is less soluble than sodium chloride and will crystallize from solution. Cooling the solution increases yield.

Projects

  • Make concentrated perchloric acid

Handling

Safety

Calcium perchlorate is a strong oxidizer, but its hygroscopicity makes it less powerful. It is toxic if consumed.

Storage

Calcium perchlorate should be kept in closed and sealed bottles, away from any organic material or strong mineral acid.

Disposal

Calcium perchlorate can be destroyed with metallic iron under UV light, in the absence of air.[3]

References

  1. Willard; Smith; Journal of the American Chemical Society; vol. 45; (1923); p. 293
  2. Migdal-Mikuli, Anna; Hetmanczyk, Joanna; Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry; vol. 91; nb. 2; (2008); p. 529 - 534
  3. Perchlorate in the Environment (2000), Edward Todd Urbansky, pag. 106

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