Chlorate
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Definition
The chlorate ion ClO3-.
A chlorate (compound) is a compound that contains this group, with chlorine in oxidation state +5.
Examples
- sodium chlorate, NaClO3
- magnesium chlorate, Mg(ClO3)2
See category for a bigger list.
Discussion
Chlorates are the salts of chloric acid.
Chlorates are powerful oxidizers and should be kept away from organics or easily reducible materials. Chlorates were once widely used in pyrotechnics, though their use has fallen due to their instability. Most pyrotechnic applications which used chlorates in the past now use perchlorates instead.