Formula, Characteristics and Uses of perchloric acid

 Perchloric acid is a chlorine oxoacid having the chemical formula HClO4. Hyperchloric acid (HClO4) or hydroxidotrioxido chlorine are other names for it. It is a transparent, odorless, colorless aqueous solution containing between 50 and 72 percent acid.

Tissue and metals are both corroded by it. When sealed containers are exposed to heat for an extended period of time, they might burst violently.

It may be manufactured in two ways on an industrial scale.

The conventional technique makes full advantage of sodium perchlorate's high-water solubility (NaClO4).

Perchloric acid is produced by treating this solution with hydrochloric acid (HCl) and precipitating solid sodium chloride. The following is the reaction:

NaClO4 + HCl → NaCl + HClO4

The an alternative technique, which is more direct and avoids salts, needs anodic oxidation chlorine solutions at an electrode surface and requires anodic oxidation chlorine solution.

It may also be made in a lab by reacting barium perchlorate (Ba(ClO4)2) with sulphuric acid (H2SO4), which results in the formation of barium sulphate (BaSO4) and the production of perchloric acid.

It may also be made by heating nitric acid (HNO3) with ammonium perchlorate (NH4ClO4) and then adding hydrochloric acid.

Breathing this compound's vapours induces a burning feeling in the nose and throat, as well as lung discomfort and coughing.

Puking is a side effect of prolonged exposure which happens the same with amino acids. Swallowing this substance might induce stomach blisters and burns.

 

Uses

Perchloric acid is most commonly used as a precursor to ammonium perchlorate, an artificial chemical that is an essential element of rocket fuel.

As a result, perchloric acid is regarded as a critical chemical component in the space industry. This substance is also used to etch liquid crystal display devices (often abbreviated to LCD).

Perchloric acid is therefore frequently utilized in the electronics sector. Because of its unusual characteristics, this molecule is also utilized in analytical chemistry.

Perchloric acid also has a variety of uses in the extraction of materials from their ores.

·        What is the process for making perchloric acid?

Perchloric acid is generally produced in one of two ways in the industrial world. The first approach, also known as the conventional way, is a method of making perchloric acid that makes use of sodium perchlorate's exceptionally high solubility in water.

At ambient temperature, sodium perchlorate dissolves in water at a rate of 2090 grams per litre.

When an amount of sodium perchlorate in water is treated with hydrochloric acid, perchloric acid is formed including a precipitate of sodium chloride. This strong acid can also be purified using the distillation process.

·        Is perchloric acid a poisonous substance?

Perchloric acid is a highly effective oxidant. This chemical has extremely high reactivities towards most metals due to its strong oxidizing characteristics.

 In addition, this chemical is extremely reactive with organic materials.

This substance has the potential to be corrosive to the skin. As a result, proper safety precautions must be followed when handling this chemical.

Final Words:

So, this was all about formula, characteristics, and uses of perchloric acid. Follow the above article to know the dangers involved around this kind of substance.