4 octubre, 2024

Chloric acid: formula, properties and uses

What is chloric acid?

He chloric acid It is an inorganic compound with the formula HClO3, an oxacid of chlorine and a formal precursor to chlorate salts. It is a strong acid capable of donating a hydrogen to a Bronsted acceptor or base.

The compound is obtained with barium chlorate (barite chlorate) with sulfuric acid to produce barium sulfate, insoluble in water according to the following reaction:

Ba(ClO3)2 + H2SO4 → 2HClO3 + BaSO4

Another method of obtaining it is heating hypochlorous acid to obtain chloric acid and hydrogen chloride according to the reaction:

3HClO → HClO3 + 2HCl

Chloric acid (HClO3) is a powerful oxidant since it is capable of being reduced to +3, +1 and -1 oxidation states. It is used for the manufacture of chlorate salts.

Decomposes in concentrations greater than 30%. It also decomposes when heated, so it must be kept cold at all times, and all glass jars used for handling must be refrigerated beforehand.

Physical and chemical properties

– Chloric acid exists only in solution. It is a colorless liquid with no characteristic aroma.

– The compound has a molecular weight of 84.459 g/mol and a density of 1 g/ml at approximately 25 °C.

– It has a boiling point greater than 100 °C and a solubility in water of 40 g per 100 ml of this solvent at 25 °C.

– Chloric acid will accelerate the burning of combustible materials and can ignite most on contact. The compound is corrosive to metals and fabrics.

Self-reactive

– Chloric acid concentrations above 40% decompose.

– Antimony sulfide and concentrated solutions of chloric acid react with incandescence.

– Arsenic sulfide and concentrated solutions of chloric acid react with incandescence.

– Reacts vigorously, even explodes with other metal sulfides, ie copper sulfide.

– In contact with oxidizable materials, including ammonia, reactions can be extremely violent.

– Filter paper ignites after immersion in hydrochloric acid.

– Explosions have been recorded by mixing chloric acid solution with metals such as antimony, bismuth and iron. This is due to the formation of explosive compounds, including hydrogen.

Reactivity and hazards

Chloric acid is an unstable compound. Being a strong acid, it is extremely dangerous in case of contact with the skin (it is corrosive and irritant), in contact with the eyes (irritant) and in case of ingestion. Also that very dangerous in case of inhalation.

Severe overexposure can cause lung damage, suffocation, unconsciousness, or death. Prolonged exposure can cause skin burns and ulcerations.

Overexposure by inhalation may cause respiratory irritation. Inflammation of the eye is characterized by redness, watering, and itching. Inflammation of the skin is characterized by itching, scaling, redness, and occasionally blistering.

The substance is toxic to the kidneys, lungs and mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance may cause damage to these organs.

In case of contact with the eyes, check if you are wearing contact lenses and remove them immediately. Eyes should be flushed with running water for at least 15 minutes, keeping the eyelids open. Cold water can be used. Eye ointment should not be used.

If the chemical comes into contact with clothing, remove it as quickly as possible, protecting your own hands and body. Place the victim under a safety shower.

If the chemical accumulates on the victim’s exposed skin, such as the hands, gently and carefully wash the contaminated skin with running water and a non-abrasive soap.

You can also neutralize the acid with dilute sodium hydroxide or a weak base such as sodium bicarbonate. If irritation persists, seek medical attention. Wash the contaminated clothing before using it again.

If skin contact is severe, wash with a disinfectant soap and cover contaminated skin with an antibacterial cream.

In case of inhalation, the victim should be allowed to rest in a well-ventilated area. If inhalation is severe, the victim should be evacuated to a safe area as soon as possible.

Loosen tight clothing, such as a shirt collar, belt, or tie. If the victim finds it difficult to breathe, oxygen should be administered. If the victim is not breathing, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is performed.

It should be noted that mouth-to-mouth resuscitation can be dangerous for the person providing help when the inhaled material is toxic, infectious or corrosive.

If swallowed, do not induce vomiting. Loosen tight clothing such as shirt collars, belts, or ties. If the victim is not breathing, do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. In all cases immediate medical attention should be sought.

Applications

Chloric acid is used mainly for the formation of chlorate salts, such as sodium, calcium, magnesium, strontium, lead, copper and silver chlorate, as well as mercury protochlorate and perchlorate are prepared using chloric acid as a reagent. .

A stable precursor of chlorine dioxide, it is used in the electrochemical production of high purity ammonium perchlorate.

The main production of chloric acid began during the Industrial Revolution in Europe and was used to make vinyl chloride for PVC pipes.

Another use for the acid in numerous smaller-scale applications, including household cleaning, production of gelatin and other food additives, descaling, and leather processing.

References

chloric acid (SF). Retrieved from weebly.com.
CHLORIC ACID (SF). Retrieved from chemicalbook.com.

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