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Topic: Stronger Oxidizer - KClO3 or NaClO3?  (Read 7873 times)

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Offline lespaul

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Stronger Oxidizer - KClO3 or NaClO3?
« on: February 04, 2011, 11:49:41 PM »
Was wondering which was a stronger oxidizer - KClO3 or NaClO3 - both are from the same family.

My guess is that KClO3 is stronger since its lower in the periodic table than Na, any thoughts?

Offline Catsceo

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Re: Stronger Oxidizer - KClO3 or NaClO3?
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2011, 06:13:39 AM »
I would think the cation wouldn't matter, the anion is what oxidizes.
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Offline lespaul

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Re: Stronger Oxidizer - KClO3 or NaClO3?
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2011, 12:14:59 PM »
Thanks Catsceo,

In that case they would be identical....

I think i read somewhere that NaClO3 is stronger....but Im quite sure why.

Offline Catsceo

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Re: Stronger Oxidizer - KClO3 or NaClO3?
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2011, 09:39:10 PM »
Thanks Catsceo,

In that case they would be identical....

I think i read somewhere that NaClO3 is stronger....but Im quite sure why.

If you are using sodium chlorate to oxidize something in solution, it might be stronger, due to the fact that it is more soluble than potassium chlorate.  But by themselves in a solid state mixture (like fireworks for example) they would probably have the same power.

That being said, take my answers with a grain of salt, as I am not an expert in the 2 compounds.
I <3 Bi, I, and Br! :D

Offline Borek

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Re: Stronger Oxidizer - KClO3 or NaClO3?
« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2011, 06:18:09 AM »
Na is lighter than K, so you get "more oxidizing" per weight. Also they differ in hygroscopic properties, which makes one better choice than the other.
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Offline lespaul

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Re: Stronger Oxidizer - KClO3 or NaClO3?
« Reply #5 on: February 21, 2011, 08:38:02 PM »
Hey Catsceo and Borek, thanks for all your input. :)

Offline ajkoer

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Re: Stronger Oxidizer - KClO3 or NaClO3?
« Reply #6 on: April 16, 2011, 09:26:03 PM »
Today's fireworks use KClO4 for safety reasons, although the prior favorite was KClO3.

 KClO3 is clearly less soluble, and is the favorite if trying to extract it from solution.

 

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