video tutorial Preparation of potassium iodate

Summary

• Potassium iodate is prepared from potassium chlorate and solid iodine using a nitric acid catalyst; the mixture is heated to dissolve the chlorate, iodine vapor is generated, and the reaction proceeds to form iodic acid in solution.
• The reaction is controlled by maintaining about 80–90°C, cooling briefly to prevent overheating, and then continuing until iodine is consumed; the solution is boiled to remove chlorine, then neutralized with potassium hydroxide to precipitate potassium iodate, which is filtered, washed, and dried.
• Yield: 28 g of potassium iodate from starting potassium chloride, about 93% of the starting amount; recrystallization from hot water can improve purity.
• An attempted variant using potassium perchlorate instead of chlorate does not work, indicating chlorate is the effective oxidant in this process.
• Red phosphorus tests indicate potassium iodate is a strong oxidizing agent and relatively stable, with a longer shelf life than potassium iodide.