Detailed Product Description:

This aqueous solution of perchloric acid is a colorless and odorless

compound considered a strong acid comparable in strength to sulfuric

and nitric acids, as well as a powerful oxidizing agent.  It is useful for

preparing perchlorate salts, especially ammonium perchlorate.  

Perchloric acid forms an azeotrope with water, consisting of about 72.5%

perchloric acid.  This form of the acid is stable indefinitely and is commercially

available.  Such solutions are hygroscopic.  Thus, if left open to the air,

concentrated perchloric acid dilutes itself by absorbing water from the air.

Grade/Purity:

This is a 70% aqueous solution of ACS Reagent Grade at a minimum 98% purity.

Background:

Perchloric acid, a superacid, is one of the strongest Brønsted-Lowry acids.  

Its pKa is −10.  It provides strong acidity without interference from potential

nucleophiles such as sulfate or chloride that complicate the use of sulfuric and

hydrochloric acids.  Other acids of noncoordinating anions, such as fluoroboric

acid and hexafluorophosphoric acid are susceptible to hydrolysis, whereas

perchloric acid is not.

Applications:

Despite hazards associated with the explosiveness of its salts, this acid is often

preferred in certain syntheses.  For similar reasons, it is a useful eluent in ion-

exchange chromatography.  It is also used for electropolishing and etching of

aluminum, molybdenum, and other metals.

Safety:

Though the anhydrous and monohydrated perchloric acids are explosive, aqueous

solutions such as this are stable in the absence of organic compounds.  It is very

corrosive to skin and eyes.  Upon contact with concentrated perchloric acid, organic

materials such as cloth and wood ignite.  Salts of perchloric acid are also powerful

oxidizers that can be explosive.  Perchlorate salts tend to be more stable than their

chlorate counterparts, which has led to their increased use in pyrotechnic compositions

due to safety concerns.

Because of these hazards, perchloric acid is usually handled under fume hoods with

wash-down and air scrubbing capabilities, which are not available in standard laboratory

fume hoods.  The crystalline form of the acid, which is explosive and shock sensitive,

can precipitate on hood surfaces; washing down the hood interior solves this problem.

Precautions:

Download the Material Safety Data Sheet for this material and understand the

precautions listed before using.  Highly corrosive to eyes and skin.  

Click here to download copy of MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)

Packaging:

Comes packed in 500ml bottle.