Chemical properties of sodium chlorate

Sodium chlorate (NaClO3) is an inorganic compound belonging to the chlorate group. It is widely used for various industrial and agricultural purposes due to its unique chemical properties.

Chemical properties :1. Sodium chlorate is a strong oxidizing agent that, when heated, decomposes to form oxygen, sodium chloride and water. This reaction can be used to produce oxygen gas, which is used in welding and other industrial processes.

2. NaClO3 reacts with sulfuric acid to form sodium sulfate, hydrogen chloride gas and chlorine gas. This reaction can be used to produce chlorine and hydrogen chloride gas, which have many industrial applications.

3. When mixed with organic materials, NaClO3 may cause a violent reaction due to its strong oxidizing properties. This property led to sodium chlorate

used as a herbicide in agriculture, as it effectively kills weeds and unwanted vegetation.

4. Sodium chlorate is also used in the production of paper pulp, as it can selectively oxidize and break down lignin, a component of wood that makes

it is hard and difficult to turn into paper. This property has led to sodium chlorate being used in the pulp production process for over a century.