Sodium Chlorate - NaClO3

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 forms of cubic crystals with hygroscopicity. It decomposes slowly at about 300^oC 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,

Sodium Chlorate Structure – NaClO₃

Physical Properties of Sodium Chlorate – NaClO₃

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.