17 Facts on HCl + KClO3: What, How To Balance & FAQs

KClO3, also known as potassium chlorate, is a powerful oxidizing agent, and hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a strong acid. Let us discuss the reaction between KClO3 and HCl in detail.

Hydrochloric acid, often known as muriatic acid, is a strong acid that is highly soluble in water. Potassium chlorate is an inorganic compound including potassium, chlorine, and oxygen. It is a white, crystalline material used most commonly in industry.

In this article, we will concentrate on the numerous features of the “HCl + KClO3” reaction, such as the product, reaction type, reaction balancing, etc.

What is the product of HCl and KClO3

Potassium chloride (KCl), chlorine gas (Cl2), and water molecules as a by-product are produced when KClO3 reacts with a concentrated solution of HCl.

KClO3 (aq) + 6HCl (aq) →  KCl (aq) + 3Cl2 (g)+3H2O (l)

What type of reaction is HCl + KClO3

Oxidation-reduction (redox) is the reaction that occurs when HCl reacts with KClO3. KClO3 is an oxidizing agent, and HCl is a reducing agent.

How to balance HCl + KClO3

Step 1: Writing the general equation

The general equation is KClO3 (aq) + HCl (aq) → KCl (aq)+ Cl2 (g) + H2O (l)

Step 2: Arranging the similarity between the reactant and product

In the reaction, the number of moles of reactant must equal the number of moles of the product, and the reaction has balanced moles. On the reactant side, 6 moles of HCl are added. On the product side, 3 moles of Cl2 and 2 moles of H2O are added.

Step 3: Writing the balanced equation

After adding the required number of moles on the reactant and product side, the overall balanced reaction is given by:

KClO3 (aq) + 6HCl (aq) →  KCl (aq) + 3Cl2 (g)+3H2O (l)

HCl + KClO3 titration

The HCl-KClO3 mixture is analyzed using redox titration.

Principle

In the presence of HCl, the powerful oxidizing agent KClO3 is reduced to chloride, and in the presence of sufficient chlorate, the chloride undergoes further oxidation to produce free chlorine.

Apparatus used

Burette, pipette, conical flask, burette holder, wash bottle, dropper, volumetric flask, and beakers.

Titre and titrant

Hydrochloric acid is used as the titrant, and the titre is KClO3.

Procedure

The required KClO3 solution was prepared. The burette was filled with HCl, and the pipette was used to transfer KClO3 into the conical flask. Drop by drop, the HCl was added to the KClO3 solution, and the reaction was completed when the colourless solution gradually turned a pale brownish-yellow.

HCl + KClO3 conjugate pairs

The combination of HCl and KClO3 will not constitute conjugate pairs as they do not conjugate with each other to give the products.

HCl and KClO3 intermolecular forces

HCl + KClO3 reaction enthalpy

The standard reaction enthalpy of the reaction between HCl and KClO3 is negative.

Is HCl + KClO3 a buffer solution

KClO3 and HCl will not combine to produce a buffer solution. This is because the salt produced (KCl) is neutral, while hydrochloric acid is a strong acid, not a weak acid.

Is HCl + KClO3 a complete reaction

The HCl + KClO3 reaction is a complete reaction since the products formed are soluble and do not undergo further reaction.

Is HCl + KClO3 an exothermic or endothermic reaction

The reaction of KClO3 with HCl is exothermic. Hence, this heat will be a driving force to complete the reaction.

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Energy profile diagram for an exothermic reaction

Is HCl + KClO3 a redox reaction

The HCl-KClO3 reaction is a redox reaction. KClO3 acts as an oxidizing agent, and HCl is a reducing agent. 

Oxidation: 2HCl Cl2 + 2e

Reduction: 2KClO3 + 10e–  Cl2

Is HCl + KClO3 a precipitation reaction

The reaction between KClO3 and HCl is not a precipitation reaction since all the products are soluble, and there is no precipitate formation. 

Is HCl + KClO3 reversible or irreversible reaction

The reaction between HCl and KClO3 is irreversible since the products formed don’t combine to reform reactants.

Is HCl + KClO3 displacement reaction

The reaction between HCl and KClO3 is not a displacement reaction, as there is no displacement of ions to form a new product.

How to balance KClO3 + SnCl2 + HCl = SnCl4 + KCl + H2O

Step 1: Writing the general equation

The general equation is KClO3 + SnCl2 + HCl → SnCl4 + KCl + H2O

Step 2: Arranging the similarity between the reactant and product

In the reaction, the number of moles of reactant must equal the number of moles of the product, and the reaction has balanced moles. On the reactant side, 6 moles of HCl and 3 moles of SnCl2 are added. On the product side, 3 moles of SnCl4 and 3 moles of H2O are added.

Step 3: Writing the balanced equation

After adding the required number of moles on the reactant and product side, the overall balanced reaction is given by:

KClO3 + 3SnCl2 + 6HCl → 3SnCl4 + KCl + 3H2O

How to balance KClO3 + HI + H2SO4 = KHSO4 + HCl + I2 + H2O

Step 1: Writing the general equation

The general equation is KClO3 + 6HI + H2SO4  KHSO4 + HCl + 3I2 + 3H2O

Step 2: Arranging the similarity between the reactant and product

In the reaction, the number of moles of reactant must equal the number of moles of the product, and the reaction has balanced moles. On the reactant side, 6 moles of HI are added. On the product side, 3 moles of I2 and 3 moles of H2O are added.

Step 3: Writing the balanced equation

After adding the required number of moles on the reactant and product side, the overall balanced reaction is given by:

KClO3 + 6HI + H2SO4  KHSO4 + HCl + 3I2 + 3H2O

How to balance KClO3 + KI + HCl = I2 + KCl + H2O

Step 1: Writing the general equation

The general equation is KI + KClO3 + HCl  I2 + H2O + KCl

Step 2: Arranging the similarity between the reactant and product

In the reaction, the number of moles of reactant must equal the number of moles of the product, and the reaction has balanced moles. On the reactant side, 6 moles of HCl and 6 moles of KI are added. On the product side, 3 moles of I2, 3 moles of H2O, and 7 moles of KCl are added.

Step 3: Writing the balanced equation

After adding the required number of moles on the reactant and product side, the overall balanced reaction is given by:

6KI + KClO3 + 6HCl  3I2 + 3H2O + 7KCl

Conclusion

This article summarises the reaction of HCl+KClO3 as a redox and exothermic reaction with the high synthetic application.