Chemical Properties
Sodium chlorate is a white crystalline solid.
Chemical Properties
Sodium chlorate, NaCI03, is colorless,odorless crystals with a cooling, saline taste, is soluble in water and alcohol,but must not be triturated with any combustible substance. Derived by heating and electrolyzing a concentrated acid solution of sodium chloride so that the chlorate is crystallized out. Used as an oxidizing agent and bleach (especially to make chlorine dioxide)for paper pulps, ore processing, herbicide and defoliant, substitute for potassium chlorate (sodium chlorate is more soluble in water),matches,explosives, flares,and pyrotechnics, in the recovery of bromine from natural brines,leather tanning and finishing, textile mordant,and to make perchlorates.
Uses
A sulfation biosynthesis inhibitor.
Uses
It is oxidimetric reagent.
Definition
ChEBI: An inorganic sodium salt that has chlorate as the counter-ion. An oxidising agent, it is used for bleaching paper and as a herbicide. It is also used in the manufacture of dyes, explosives and matches.
Uses
An oxidizer, like potassium chlorate, in manufacture of dyes; explosives and matches; dyeing and printing fabrics; tanning and finishing leather. Herbicide. Pharmaceutic aid (oxidizing agent).
General Description
Sodium chlorate in a water solution is a clear colorless liquid. SODIUM CHLORATE, AQUEOUS SOLUTION(7775-09-9) is noncombustible but SODIUM CHLORATE, AQUEOUS SOLUTION(7775-09-9) can accelerate the burning of surrounding combustible materials. This can easily occur if the material should dry out. Contact with strong sulfuric acid may cause fires or explosions.
Reactivity Profile
SODIUM CHLORATE decomposes upon heating forming O2; reacts with strong acids forming toxic and explosive ClO2; reacts with many substances [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980 p. 833]; metal chlorates are oxidants in the presence of strong acid; liberates explosive chlorine dioxide gas; heating a moist metal chlorate and a dibasic organic acid liberates chlorine dioxide and carbon dioxide; mixtures of perchlorates with sulfur or phosphorus are explosives [Bretherick 1979 p. 100]; mixtures of the chlorate with ammonium salts(ammonium thiosulfate), powdered metals, silicon, sulfur, or sulfides are readily ignited and potentially explosive [Bretherick 1979 p. 806]. A combination of finely divided aluminum with finely divided bromates(also chlorates and iodates) of barium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium or zinc can explode by heat, percussion, and friction [Mellor 2:310 1946-47]. Sodium chlorate and arsenic trioxide form a spontaneously flammable mixture [Ellern 1968 p. 51]. Mixtures of organic material and more than 10% sodium chlorate are sufficiently combustible to be hazardous at low relative humidity. Mixtures of organic material such as charcoal, sugar, flour, or shellac and sodium chlorate may be ignited by friction or shock [Chem. Safety Data Sheet SD-42 1951].
Air & Water Reactions
Soluble in water.
Hazard
Dangerous fire risk, strong oxidant, contact
with organic materials may cause fire.
Trade name
ASEX®; ATLACIDE[C]; ATRATOL B-HERBATOX®[C]; BAREGROUND®; BEST MAGCHLOR DEFOLIANT®; CHAPMAN WEED FREE®; CHLORAX®; D-LEAF COTTON DEFOLIANT®; DE-FOL-ATE®; DESOLET®; DREXEL DEFOL®; DROP LEAF®; EVAU-SUPERFALL®; FALL®; GRAIN SORGHUM HARVEST AID®; GRANEX OK®; HARVEST-AID®; KLOREX®; KM SODIUM CHLORATE®; KUSA-TOHRUKUSATOL®; LOREX®; ORTHO C-1 DEFOLIANT & WEED KILLER®; OXYCIL®; RASIKAL®; SHED-A-LEAF®; TRAVEX®; TUMBLEAF®; 20 MULE TEAM HIBOR®[C]; UNITED CHEMICAL DEFOLIANT NO.1®; VAL-DROP®
Health Hazard
Contact causes irritation of eyes and skin. INGESTION: May cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal or gastric pain, dyspnea and other symptoms. The major cause of death from a lethal dose is acute renal failure.
Potential Exposure
Sodium chlorate is used to manufacture dyes, explosives, in paper pulp processing and as a weed killer; used as a constituent of atratol and pramitol.
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical facility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and induce vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit. Keep victim under medical observation.
Antidotes and Special Procedures: Do not use Methylene Blue to treat methemoglobinemia from sodium chlorate as it can cause increased toxicity.
Shipping
UN1495 Sodium chlorate, Hazard Class: 5.1; Labels: 5.1-Oxidizer. UN2428 Sodium chlorate, aqueous solution, Hazard Class: 5.1; Labels: 5.1-Oxidizer.
Incompatibilities
A strong oxidizer. Potentially explosive. Reacts violently with combustibles, sulfuric acid; and reducing materials. Reacts with strong acids giving off carbon dioxide. Explosions may be caused by contact with ammonia salts; ammonium thiosulfate; antimony sulfide; arsenic, carbon, charcoal, organic matter; organic acids; thiocyanates, chemically active metals; oils, metal sulfides; nitrobenzene, powdered metals; sugar. Reacts with some organic contaminants forming shock-sensitive mixtures. Decomposes on heating above 300C or on burning, producing oxygen and toxic chlorine fumes. Attacks zinc, magnesium, and steel.
Waste Disposal
In accordance with 40CFR 165 recommendations for the disposal of pesticides and pesticide containers. Must be disposed properly by following package label directions or by contacting your local or federal environmental control agency, or by contacting your regional EPA office.
Production Methods
The commercial production of sodium chlorate occurs via continuous electrolysis of saturated sodium chloride brine in undivided electrolytic cells. Purified brine is fed into titanium-anode cells coated with ruthenium-iridium oxides, where anodic chlorine evolution and cathodic hydrogen formation occur; in the bulk solution, chlorine gas hydrolyses to form chlorate. The cell liquor is cooled to crystallise sodium chlorate.
Purification Methods
It is crystallised from hot water (0.5mL/g). It is a strong oxidising agent, and should be kept clear from organic matter.
Flammability and Explosibility
Notclassified
Biological Activity
sulfation biosynthesis inhibitor
Mechanism of action
Broad-spectrum, systemic which translocates to all parts of the weed. Phytoxic to all plants.
Pesticide Type
Herbicide; Soil sterilant
