Question

Which of the following is called Berthelot's Salt?
a.) \[{(NaP{O_3})_6}\]
b.) \[NaOCl\]
c.) \[KCl{O_3}\]
d.) \[KH{F_2}\]

Answer 1

Hint: This salt appears as a white crystal and forms a very flammable mixture with combustible material. This should give us an idea which salt was named after its discoverer Claude Louis Berthollet.

Complete step by step answer:
We should know for easier understanding that the aqueous solution of this salt is a colourless liquid that is denser than water. It is toxic when ingested. When it comes in contact it can irritate our eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. It has a cooling effect and saline taste.
Potassium Chlorate is known as Berthelot's Salt.
It is produced on an industrial scale by Liebig’s process.
Another important reaction is Potassium chlorate decomposes to potassium chloride and to oxygen gas when heated strongly. In the presence of Manganese dioxide as a catalyst the decomposition is much faster. This reaction occurs at a temperature of between 150-300 ° C. For this reaction manganese (IV) oxide must be the catalyst as it can withstand it.
Hence, the correct answer is Option(C) \[KCl{O_3}\]

Additional Information:
A field where potassium chlorate used to excel at, but now is rarely used due to safety concerns, is in explosives. Its role here was as an oxidizer, to fuel the power of the explosion. In the First World War mixtures of potassium chlorate and plasticizers, like wax, were the most frequently used plastic or putty explosives.

Note: The discovery of Potassium chlorate had ignited a spark under the fireworks industry, allowing their beautiful colors to be properly seen for the first time ever. This was all due to its powerful oxidizing abilities. But potassium chlorate's role in the firework industry too is pretty much over today, due to safety concerns.