Why oxygen is prepared in laboratory by directly heating POTASSIUM CHLORATE?
Potassium Chlorate (KClO3) is often used in highschool and college laboratories to generate oxygen gas; it is a far cheaper source than a pressurized or cryogenic oxygen tank. Potassium Chlorate will readily decompose if heated in contact with a catalyst, typically manganese (IV) oxide (MnO2). Thus, it may be simply placed in a test tube and heated over a burner. If the test tube is equipped with a one-holed stopper and hose, warm oxygen can be drawn off. The reaction is as follows: 2KClO3(s) → 3O2(g) + 2KCl(s) This is because: Potassium chlorate is a compound containing potassium, chlorine and oxygen, with the chemical formula K[ClO3].
