Perchlorate

Perchlorate
Names
	Systematic IUPAC name Perchlorate
Identifiers
CAS Number	14797-73-0 ;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
ChEBI	CHEBI:49706 ;
ChEMBL	ChEMBL1161634 ;
ChemSpider	109953 ;
DrugBank	DB03138 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.152.366
Gmelin Reference	2136
IUPHAR/BPS	4524;
MeSH	180053
PubChem CID	123351;
UNII	VLA4NZX2P4 ;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID6024252 ;
	InChI InChI=1S/ClHO4/c2-1(3,4)5/h(H,2,3,4,5)/p-1 Key: VLTRZXGMWDSKGL-UHFFFAOYSA-M ;
	SMILES [O-][Cl+3]([O-])([O-])[O-];
Properties
Chemical formula	ClO−4
Molar mass	99.45 g·mol−1
Conjugate acid	Perchloric acid
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). verify (what is ?) Infobox references

A perchlorate is a chemical compound used mainly in making rocket fuel and fireworks, as well as some other industrial uses. In many countries it is used to treat hyperthyroidism, but (mainly because of its effect on the thyroid gland) it is an environmental toxin which endangers human health when it contaminates food and water.

Perchlorates contain the perchlorate ion, ClO−4, the conjugate base of perchloric acid (ionic perchlorate). As counterions, there can be metal cations, quaternary ammonium cations or other ions, for example, nitronium cation (NO+2).

The term perchlorate can also describe perchlorate esters or covalent perchlorates. These are organic compounds that are alkyl or aryl esters of perchloric acid. They are characterized by a covalent bond between an oxygen atom of the ClO₄ moiety and an organyl group.

In most ionic perchlorates, the cation is non-coordinating. The majority of ionic perchlorates are commercially produced salts commonly used as oxidizers for pyrotechnic devices and for their ability to control static electricity in food packaging. Additionally, they have been used in rocket propellants, fertilizers, and as bleaching agents in the paper and textile industries.

Ionic perchlorates are typically colorless solids that exhibit good solubility in water. The perchlorate ion forms when they dissolve in water, dissociating into ions. Many perchlorate salts also exhibit good solubility in non-aqueous solvents. Four perchlorates are of primary commercial interest: ammonium perchlorate (NH₄)ClO₄, perchloric acid HClO₄, potassium perchlorate KClO₄ and sodium perchlorate NaClO₄.