Perchlorate ion (ClO₄⁻)
- Charge
- −1
- Atoms
- Cl, O × 4
- Atoms in total
- 5
- Mass of the ion
- 99.446 g/mol
Perchlorate is a chlorine atom at the center of four oxygen atoms, with a 1− charge. Chlorine is in its highest oxidation state, +7, and the four oxygens add −8, leaving −1 overall. Ammonium perchlorate is the oxidizer in the solid fuel of many rocket boosters, and perchlorate salts have even been found in the soil of Mars.
- Per- means one oxygen more than the -ate ion, so perchlorate, ClO₄⁻, has one more oxygen than chlorate, ClO₃⁻.
- Perchloric acid, HClO₄, is one of the strongest common acids, so the perchlorate ion holds on to H⁺ very weakly.
- Ammonium perchlorate, NH₄ClO₄, supplies the oxygen that burns the fuel in solid rocket motors.
Compounds that contain perchlorate
NH4ClO4 Ammonium perchlorate
KClO4 Potassium perchlorate
NaClO4 Sodium perchlorate
Mg(ClO4)2 Magnesium perchlorate