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Potassium chlorite

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Potassium chlorite
Names
IUPAC name
potassium;chlorite
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
MeSH 67063160
UNII
  • InChI=1S/ClHO2.K/c2-1-3;/h(H,2,3);/q;+1/p-1
    Key: VISKNDGJUCDNMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M
  • [O-]Cl=O.[K+]
Properties
KClO2, ClKO2
Molar mass 106.55 g/mol
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS03: Oxidizing
H314
P260, P264, P280, P301+P330+P331, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P310, P405, P501
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Potassium chlorite is a potassium salt of chlorous acid (HClO2) having a chemical formula KClO2. It exists as white powder and its annhydrous form easily undergoes decomposition in presence of heat or radiation (especially gamma rays).[1]

Properties

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Potassium chlorite is a colorless hygroscopic crystal that deliquesces in the air. It decomposes upon heating into potassium chloride and oxygen, emitting light.

KClO2 → KCl + O2

Potassium chlorite forms orthorhombic cmcm crystals and has been reported to decompose within hours at room temperature.[1][2] It is an oxidizing agent.

Synthesis

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Some of the methods of preparation of potassium chlorite are:

2 KClO3 → 2 KClO2 + O2
HClO2 + KOH → KClO2 + H2O

References

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  1. ^ a b Boyd, George E.; Brown, Larry Clyde (1970). "Thermal and radiolytic decomposition of anhydrous crystalline potassium chlorite". The Journal of Physical Chemistry. 74 (8): 1691–1694. doi:10.1021/j100703a006. ISSN 0022-3654.
  2. ^ Smolentsev, A. I.; Naumov, D. Yu (2005-02-15). "Two alkali metal chlorites, LiClO2 and KClO2". Acta Crystallographica Section C: Crystal Structure Communications. 61 (2): i17 – i19. doi:10.1107/S0108270104032482. ISSN 0108-2701.