138
P. Sahu
Table 6.1
Characteristics and uses of some perchlorate compounds
Compound
Formula
Molecular
weight
(g/inol)
Deusity (g/cm 3
) Physical appearance
Aqueous
solubility at
20 °C
(10 3
mg/L)
Decomposition
temp.
(°C)/Reaction
Uses
Ammonium
perchlorate
NH
4
ClO
4
117.488
1.952
Colourless or white
orthorombhic and regular
crystals
217–220
150
Energetic
booster in
rocket fuel
Sodium
perchlorate
NaCl
O
4
122.439
2.02–2.499
Hygroscopic/deliquescent,
white orthorombhic
crystals
2010
492
Strong
oxidizing agent
used in
explosive and
chemical
industries
Potassium
perchlorate
KCl
O
4
138.547
2.5298
Colourless crystal to
white crystalline powder,
hygroscopic
7.5–16.8
440
Solid oxidant
for rocket
production
Lithium
perchlorate
Licl
O
4
106.3906
2.428–2.429
Deliquescent, white
crystal
375
<250–400
Electrolyte in
voltaic cells,
synthesis of
organic
chemicals
Perchloric acid
HCl
O
4
2H
2 O
223.21
2.21
White, hygroscopic
powder
Very soluble
250
Analytical,
oxidizing and
dehydrating
agent
Source
Modified table after Sturchio et al. (2003) (Srinivasan and Viraraghavan 2009)