Difference between revisions of "Sodium perchlorate"
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| − | [File:Sodium perchlorate.jpg|thumb|220x220px]] | + | [[File:Sodium perchlorate.jpg|thumb|220x220px]] |
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'''Sodium perchlorate''' is an inorganic salt of sodium, with the chemical formula NaClO<sub>4</sub>. | '''Sodium perchlorate''' is an inorganic salt of sodium, with the chemical formula NaClO<sub>4</sub>. | ||
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===Physical=== | ===Physical=== | ||
| − | Sodium perchlorate is a white crystalline salt. It is hygroscopic, forming a monohydrate. It is highly soluble in water, 209 g/100 ml at 25 °C. | + | Sodium perchlorate is a white crystalline salt. It is hygroscopic, forming a monohydrate. It is highly soluble in water, 209 g/100 ml at 25 °C. It is also soluble in low chain alcohols. |
==Availability== | ==Availability== | ||
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==Projects== | ==Projects== | ||
*Make [[potassium perchlorate]] | *Make [[potassium perchlorate]] | ||
| + | *Make perchloric acid | ||
*Flash powder | *Flash powder | ||
*Chemical oxygen generator | *Chemical oxygen generator | ||
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*[https://www.sciencemadness.org/whisper/viewthread.php?tid=17629 pH control of a Sodium Perchlorate cell] | *[https://www.sciencemadness.org/whisper/viewthread.php?tid=17629 pH control of a Sodium Perchlorate cell] | ||
*[https://www.sciencemadness.org/whisper/viewthread.php?tid=23141 Seeking help regarding unsuccessful sodium perchlorate cell] | *[https://www.sciencemadness.org/whisper/viewthread.php?tid=23141 Seeking help regarding unsuccessful sodium perchlorate cell] | ||
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[[Category:Chemical compounds]] | [[Category:Chemical compounds]] | ||
[[Category:Inorganic compounds]] | [[Category:Inorganic compounds]] | ||
Revision as of 17:07, 2 November 2015
Sodium perchlorate is an inorganic salt of sodium, with the chemical formula NaClO4.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Sodium perchlorate is a powerful oxidizer, though it's not as useful in pyrotechnics as the potassium salt due to its hygroscopicity.
It will react with a strong mineral acid, such as sulfuric acid, to form perchloric acid. This can be isolated by careful distillation.
- NaClO4(aq) + H2SO4(aq) ↔ NaHSO4 (aq) + HClO4(aq)
Physical
Sodium perchlorate is a white crystalline salt. It is hygroscopic, forming a monohydrate. It is highly soluble in water, 209 g/100 ml at 25 °C. It is also soluble in low chain alcohols.
Availability
Sodium perchlorate used to be available globally, but recent regulations have restricted its possession in Europe. Perchlorates can still be purchased from some online vendors, but in limited quantities. Purchases using some form of identification have a good chance of being tracked by a government agency. In the US, perchlorates are still widely available through pyrotechnic companies as well as lab suppliers.
Preparation
Sodium perchlorate is produced by anodic oxidation of sodium chlorate (which in turn is made from sodium chloride) at an inert electrode, such as platinum.[1]
- ClO3- (aq) + H2O (l) → ClO4- (aq) + H2 (g)
However when using platinum as an anode, its wear rate will increase as the chlorate concentration starts to decrease, and below 50g/l it may be excessive; high temperatures also increase its wear rate. Wear rates from manufacturers have been reported as 3 to 6 grams of Pt per ton of sodium perchlorate.[2]
Projects
- Make potassium perchlorate
- Make perchloric acid
- Flash powder
- Chemical oxygen generator
Handling
Safety
Sodium perchlorate is a powerful oxidizer. It should be kept away from organic substances and strong reducing agents. Unlike chlorates, perchlorate mixtures with sulfur are relatively stable.
It is moderately toxic, as in large amounts it interferes with iodine uptake into the thyroid gland.
Storage
NaClO4 should be stored in tightly sealed bottles as it is slightly hygroscopic. It should be kept away from any strong acidic vapors to prevent the formation of anhydrous perchloric acid, a fire and explosion hazard.
Disposal
Sodium perchlorate should not be poured down the drain or dumped into environment. It must be neutralized with a reducing agent first.
References
- ↑ http://www.utahpyro.org/compositions/HowToMakeSodiumPerchlorate.pdf
- ↑ http://www.oocities.org/capecanaveral/campus/5361/chlorate/naperchl.html
