Potassium chlorite

Chemical compound

Potassium chlorite
Names

IUPAC name potassium;chlorite
Identifiers
CAS Number	14314-27-3 13898-47-0 (parent)
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	8466227
MeSH	67063160
PubChem CID	23669246
UNII	71K32L1LFJ
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID90931758
InChI InChI=1S/ClHO2.K/c2-1-3;/h(H,2,3);/q;+1/p-1 Key: VISKNDGJUCDNMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M
SMILES [O-]Cl=O.[K+]
Properties
Chemical formula	KClO₂, ClKO₂
Molar mass	106.55 g/mol
Hazards
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Hazard statements	H314
Precautionary statements	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). Infobox references

Chemical compound

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

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

{\ce {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

Some of the methods of preparation of potassium chlorite are:

Thermal decomposition of potassium chlorate

{\ce {2KClO3 -> 2KClO2 + O2}}

Reaction of chloric acid and potassium hydroxide

{\ce {HClO2 + KOH -> KClO2 + H2O}}

References

^ ^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.
^ 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.