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.
- 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
- 2 KClO3 → 2 KClO2 + O2
- Reaction of chloric acid and potassium hydroxide
- 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.