Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Chlorite salts

symboom - 13-10-2020 at 12:28

Calcium Chlorite, CaClO2, is formed by the action of chlorine dioxide, ClO2, on calcium peroxide prepared by the action of hydrogen peroxide on milk of lime. A solution is obtained from which calcium chlorite crystallises in vacuo over potassium hydroxide, or may be precipitated by alcohol and ether. It explodes on percussion and decomposes completely in contact with a heated wire

Strontium Chlorite, Sr(ClO2)2, is obtained by the action of chlorous acid on strontium hydroxide, followed by rapid evaporation, first over a flame until a skin is formed, and then in vacuo. It separates as a deliquescent salt which is decomposed above 200° C., giving a mixture of chloride and chlorate. It may also be formed by treating the precipitated peroxide with chlorine dioxide. The product explodes on percussion



Barium Chlorite, Ba(ClO2)2, is formed by the action of chloric acid on barium hydroxide in solution. It is an unstable salt, but it can be obtained in a fairly pure condition by rapid evaporation over a flame until a skin is formed, and then further concentration in vacuo. Slow evaporation results in the formation of the chlorate. Barium chlorite is very soluble in water, and is decomposed into chlorate and chloride at 235° C.

Silver chlorite
Silver nitrate and potassium chlorite react to form yellow crystals of the Silver chlorite, AgClO2, an unstable substance decomposing energetically at 105° C.

Lead Chlorite, Pb(ClO2)2, is obtained by precipitating lead nitrate solution with a soluble chlorite. It crystallises in yellow scales, and explodes when heated above 100° C. A mixture of this salt with sulphur inflames when rubbed.

Can't find anymore reactions that form another chlorite salt. If anyone can ad to this.

Rhodanide - 17-10-2020 at 13:54

A mix of solid Sodium Chlorite and Hydrazine Sulfate ignites spontaneously a few minutes after being mixed.

woelen - 18-10-2020 at 23:44

I have experience with lead chlorite. This material indeed is explosive, without the need of any added reductor/fuel. It is quite remarkable, because it is explosive, while it does not have a combined oxidizer/reductor in one compound (like ammonium perchlorate or nitrated organics). Lead chlorite can be stored for a long time (I have a few hundreds of mg, several years old), but on heating it explodes.