Perchloric Acid: Overview, Questions, Preparation

This chapter has multiple topics listed below:

Acids, Bases and Salts Acid Strength Difference between Acid and Bas...Examples of Bases Zinc carbonate Zinc Nitrate Aluminium Phosphate Aspartic Acid Butyric Acid Tannic acid Uses of Folic Acid Uses of Acetic Acid Lactic Acid formula Uses of Citric Acid Magnesium Nitrate Barium Iodide Dilute Acids Magnesium Phosphate Uses of Hydrochloric Acid List of Strong Acids Butanoic Acid Sodium Chlorate Barium Carbonate Chloroacetic Acid Magnesium Bicarbonate Red Cabbage Indicator Sodium Hexametaphosphate Zinc Hydroxide Potassium Iodate Peroxydisulfuric Acid Ph of Acids and Bases Potassium Bromate Weak Acid Examples Weak Bases Magnesium Hydroxide Monosodium Glutamate Potassium Hydroxide Nitrous Acid Henderson Hasselbalch Equation Difference between Alkali and B...Properties of Bases Sodium Citrate Ammonium Phosphate Chemical Indicators Chromic Acid Perchloric Acid Uses of Sodium Hydroxide Zinc Acetate

Yamini Saini

Updated on Jun 30, 2021 09:35 IST

With the formula HClO4, perchloric acid is a type of mineral acid. Typically contained in an aqueous solution, it is a stronger acid than nitric acid and sulfuric acid. It is a colourless compound. When heavy, it is a potent oxidiser, but solutions that are aqueous to about 70% by weight at room temp. are normally stable, exhibiting only strong acid characteristics and no properties of oxidation. Perchloric acid in its form of ammonium perchlorate, an essential component of rocket fuel, is useful for preparing perchlorate salts. Perchloric acid is dangerously corrosive and easily explosive mixtures form readily.

Perchloric acid is formed by two mechanisms industrially. The standard approach utilises the high aqueous solubility (209 g/100 mL of water at room temperature) of sodium perchlorate. Perchloric acid, precipitating solid sodium chloride, supplies the preparation of those solutions of hydrochloric acid:

NaClO4 + HCl → NaCl + HClO4

Table of Contents

Properties of Perchloric Acid
Uses of Perchloric Acid
Illustrated Examples
FAQs on Perchloric Acid

Properties of Perchloric Acid

Perchloric acid	HClO4
Density	1.768 g/cm3
Molecular weight	100.46 g/mol
Melting point	−17 °C
Boiling point	203 °C

Uses of Perchloric Acid

Perchloric acid is used in the extraction of sodium and potassium as an oxidiser.

Used in explosives manufacturing.
Used with metallic plating.
Used as a reagent for 1H-Benzotriazole determination.
Utilised as a catalyst.
Used in combustible missiles.
Used in molybdenum electropolishing or etching.

Hazards to Wellbeing

Inhaling vapours of this substance triggers the feeling of burning in the mouth and nose, nasal inflammation, and coughing. Excessive exposure induces vomiting. Ingesting this compound will cause stomach blisters and burns. It liberates corrosive, annoying, and poisonous gases when heated.

Perchloric acid in Class 10

In Class 10, under chapter acid, bases, and salts, there is an explanation of perchloric acid in brief. The weightage is 3 marks.

Perchloric acid in Class 11

In the chapter equilibrium, you will get to learn about the perchloric acid and its properties and a proper explanation about the formation. The chapter is a part of 21 marks.

Perchloric acid in Class 12

In Class 12, in different chapters, you will get to learn about the reaction in which perchloric acid undergoes.

Illustrated Examples

How is perchloric acid prepared?

The treatment with hydrochloric acid with a solution of sodium perchlorate in water results in the production of perchloric acid along with a sodium chloride precipitate.

Is perchloric acid unsafe?

Perchloric acid is an oxidant that is incredibly strong. This compound shows very high reactivity to most metals due to its strong oxidising properties.

Is perchloric acid stronger than sulfuric acid?

With the formula HClO4, perchloric acid is a mineral acid. Typically contained in an aqueous solution, a stronger acid than sulfuric acid and nitric acid is this colourless compound.

FAQs on Perchloric Acid

Q. What is the basicity of perchloric acid?

A. Being an extremely acidic mineral, the perchloric acid compound would have minimum basicity as seen on a basic scale and highly acidic when seen on an acid scale.

Q. How unhealthy is perchloric acid?

A. This corrosive chemical brings dangerous characteristics of most acids; if ingested, it is poisonous, causing burning of the digestive and respiratory tract. If applied to the outside of the body, it can cause burning of the eyes and skin. In addition, under certain conditions, perchloric acid is also explosively unstable.

Q. Is h2so4 better than HClO4?

A. Perchloric acid, HClO 4 , can be estimated to be a stronger acid than sulfuric acid, H 2 SO 4 , which is supposed to be stronger than phosphoric acid, H 3 PO 4 . The acid intensity increases for a given non-metal central atom, as the central atom's oxidation number increases.

Q. Is perchloric acid the strongest acid?

A. One of the most strong mineral acids is perchloric acid (HClO 4 ). Hot and condensed perchloric acid has strong oxidising and dehydrating properties, and with organic compounds, it can react explosively.

Q. Is perchloric acid explosive?

A. One of the toughest superacids is known to be perchloric acid. It is extremely metal-reactive, dangerously corrosive, and explosive mixtures are readily produced.