video tutorial Make potassium perchlorate

Name: video tutorial - Make potassium perchlorate
Uploaded: 2025-12-11T09:03:43.830Z
Duration: 11 min 22 s
Description: It's worth noting that you can do this reaction using sodium chlorate instead, which may be easier to obtain....We're starting off with 30 grams of potassium chlorate crystals as you can see here.

Summary

Demonstrates converting potassium chlorate to potassium perchlorate via controlled thermal decomposition in a clean crucible, with careful temperature control and precautions against oxidation.
After decomposition, a mixture containing potassium perchlorate, potassium chloride, and unreacted chlorate is dissolved in hot water and recrystallized to isolate perchlorate, yielding about 15 g (roughly 60% of the starting material).
Crystallization conditions are discussed: filtration around 60°C balances yield and purity; higher filtration temperatures reduce yield but improve purity; recrystallization is possible but not pursued.
Tests illustrate perchlorate as a strong yet more stable oxidizer than chlorate, relevant for stable ignition in solid rocket boosters; organic materials and perchlorates are generally not a good combination.
Additional observations include acid-base tests showing hazards (chlorine gas, chlorine dioxide) and the relative reactivity differences between chlorate and perchlorate under various conditions.