Do chlorates decompose when heated?

1 Answer
Sep 17, 2015

Yes.

Explanation:

Chlorates are ionic compounds that contain the chlorate anion, ClO3, and the cation of a metal.

When heated, these compounds undergo decomposition to form oxygen gas, O2, and a metal chloride.

The classic example is the decomposition of potassium chlorate, KClO3, to oxygen gas and potassium chloride, KCl.

KClO3(s]KCl(s]+O2(g]

If you want a general form balanced equation for the decomposition of a metal chlorate, you can use M to denote the metal cation

MClO3(s]MCl(s]+O2(g]

Remember to balance this general equation according to the charge of the metal cation. For example, calcium chlorate, Ca(ClO3)2, will decompose to give

Ca(ClO3)2(s]CaCl2(s]+3O2(g]

Here's a video showing the decomposition of potassium chlorate