Chloric acid - properties, production, application. Precautions for operation

Chloric acid (formula HClO4) is a monohydric anhydrous acid. Contains chlorine (Cl) in the highest oxidation state, for this reason it is the strongest oxidant. Explosive.

Properties of perchloric acid

1. It is a volatile liquid without color, in the air it is very smoky, monomeric in pairs. It is unstable and very reactionary. This acid is characterized by auto-dehydration:

3HClO4 = H3O + (cation) + ClO- (anion) + Cl2O7 (chlorine oxide)

2. This substance is highly soluble in chlorine and fluoroorganic solvents, such as CH2Cl2 (methylene chloride), CHCl3 (chloroform), and others. Miscible with other solvents, exhibits reducing properties, if mistreated, can lead to explosion or ignition.

3. It is well mixed with water (H2O) in any proportions. Forms several hydrates. Concentrated solutions of this acid have a slightly oily consistency. Water solutions of this acid have good stability and low oxidation ability. With water, the substance we are considering forms an azeotropic mixture that boils at 203 degrees and contains 72 percent HClO4.

4. Chloric acid (formula HClO4) is one of the strongest acids. Because of this in her environment, some acid compounds behave like bases.

5. Under conditions of reduced pressure, when the mixture of the chloric acid and phosphoric anhydride is slightly heated, an oily colorless liquid is formed, chlorine anhydride:

2HClO4 (chloric acid) + P4O10 (phosphorus anhydride) = Cl2O7 (chlorinated anhydride) + H2P4O11

Methods of obtaining

1. Aqueous solutions of this substance can be obtained in two ways. The first is the electrochemical oxidation of chlorine or hydrochloric acid in concentrated hydrochloric acid, and the second - in the exchange decomposition of sodium or potassium perchlorates with inorganic strong acids.

2. Chlorinated anhydrous acid can also be obtained in two ways. The first is the interaction of potassium (K) or sodium (Na) perchlorates with sulfuric acid in concentrated form, and the second - in the interaction of oleum with an aqueous solution of perchloric acid:

KClO4 (aqueous solution of perchloric acid) + H2SO4 (sulfuric acid) = KHSO4 (potassium hydrogen sulfate) + HClO4 (perchloric acid)

The use of perchloric acid

- concentrated solutions are widely used for the preparation of perchlorates (salts of this acid) and in analytical chemistry;

- perchloric acid is used in the decomposition of ores, as a catalyst and in the analysis of minerals;

- potassium perchlorate (formula: KClO4), the salt of this acid, is used in the creation of explosives, and magnesium perchlorate (anhydrone, Mg (ClO4) 2) is used as a desiccant.

Safety at work

Chlorinated anhydrous acid can not be stored and transported for a long time, since under standard conditions it decomposes rapidly and can subsequently spontaneously explode.

Other inorganic chlorine-containing acids:

1. Hydrochloric acid (formula: HCl) is a monobasic strong acid, a caustic, fuming liquid in the air. Applied in electroforming (pickling, etching) and in hydrometallurgy, for cleaning metals during tinning and soldering, for the production of manganese, zinc, iron chlorides and other metals. In the food industry this substance is registered as food additive Е507.

2. Chloric acid (formula: HClO) is a monobasic very weak acid. Can exist only in solutions. Used for sanitary purposes, as well as for bleaching fabrics and cellulose.

3. Chloric acid (HClO2) is a monobasic acid of moderate strength. Unstable in free form, in a dilute aqueous solution it is usually rapidly decomposed. Anhydride of this acid is still unknown.

4. Chloric acid (HClO3) is a monobasic strong acid. It is not obtained in free form, since it decomposes in concentrated solutions. In aqueous solutions, it exists at concentrations below 30 percent. It is fairly stable at low temperatures.