Substance profile
Perchloric Acid
Perchloric Acid is colorless, oily liquid and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Perchloric Acid is
Perchloric Acid is colorless, oily liquid and is odorless. It melts at -112 °C, is miscible with water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as reactive agents - 3rd degree.
Other names for Perchloric Acid
- perchloric acid ... %
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Perchloric Acid properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 19 °C (66.2 °F) | at 11 mmHg (reduced pressure) | HSDB |
| Melting point | -112 °C (-169.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| -112.22 °C (-170 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 1.768 g/cm³ | at 22 °C | HSDB |
| 1.76 g/cm³ | at 22 °C | ICSC | |
| 25 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | MISCIBLE IN COLD WATER | HSDB | |
| Solubility in water: miscible | ICSC | ||
| Vapor pressure | 6.8 mmHg | Haz-Map | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | DECOMP WHEN DISTILLED AT ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE, SOMETIMES WITH EXPLOSIVE VIOLENCE. ... UNDERGOES SPONTANEOUS & EXPLOSIVE DECOMP... | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 3.5 (air = 1) | ICSC |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Fire and explosion
Fire and explosion behaviour of Perchloric Acid
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Fire and explosion
SOME INORG MATERIALS, SUCH AS HYPOPHOSPHITES, TEND TO FORM EXPLOSIVE MIXTURES WITH PERCHLORIC ACID WHEN HOT. EXPLOSIONS MAY OCCUR WHEN 72% PERCHLORIC ACID IS USED FOR DETERMINATION OF CHROMIUM IN STEEL. ...REACTION OF ANHYDROUS...ACID WITH SULFUR TRIOXIDE IS VIOLENT...DROP OF ANHYDROUS...ACID ON WOOD FIBERS OR DUST CAUSES VIOLENT EXPLOSION. ANHYDROUS PERCHLORIC ACID CAN DECOMPOSE EXPLOSIVELY @ ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE. WHEN BIS(2-HYDROXYETHYL)-TEREPHTHALATE, BEING REFLUXED WITH 5% PERCHLORIC ACID IN ETHYL ALCOHOL, WAS ALLOWED TO GO TO DRYNESS, THERE WAS A VIOLENT EXPLOSION.
Source: HSDB
EXPLOSIONS INVOLVING.../ACETIC ACID AND PERCHLORIC ACID/ HAVE OCCURRED IN ELECTROLYTIC POLISHING BATHS. VIOLENCE IN SOME CASES APPROACHED THAT OF A TRUE HIGH EXPLOSIVE. CONTACT OF HOT, CONCN PERCHLORIC ACID WITH ALCOHOLS OR CELLULOSE IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS. ...ANILINE TREATED WITH PERCHLORIC ACID, THEN FORMALDEHYDE, GIVES RESINOUS CONDENSATION PRODUCT WHICH BURNS WITH EXPLOSIVE VIOLENCE. ...DROP OF ANHYDROUS...ACID IN DIETHYL ETHER CAUSES...EXPLOSION. DROP OF ANHYDROUS PERCHLORIC ACID ON CHARCOAL CAUSES VIOLENT EXPLOSION. ...70% PERCHLORIC ACID SOLN REACTS INSTANTLY & EXPLOSIVELY ON CONTACT WITH DIBUTYL SULFOXIDE.
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Perchloric Acid
Storage conditions
REAGENT BOTTLE--MAX 1-LB, GLASS-STOPPERED, GLASS BOTTLE; KEPT IN A HEAVY GLASS TRAY WITH LARGER CAPACITY. ADDN LAB STORAGE SHOULD BE IN ORIGINAL BOTTLES INSIDE A GLASS CONTAINER PADDED WITH GLASS WOOL & HAVING GREATER CAPACITY THAN THE CONTAINER. CARBOYS & LARGE BOTTLES SHOULD BE STORED ON ACID-RESISTING NONCOMBUSTIBLE SHELVES, IN A NONCOMBUSTIBLE STRUCTURE. ALL STORAGE MUST BE SEPARATED FROM COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS, ORG MATERIALS, STRONG DEHYDRATING AGENTS, OXIDIZING & REDUCING AGENTS. ...MUST BE STORED WHERE IT WILL NOT FREEZE... PROTECT AGAINST PHYSICAL DAMAGE. ELECTRICAL WIRING...IN STORAGE AREAS MUST BE OF WATERTIGHT TYPE TO PROTECT AGAINST CORROSIVE ACTION OF VAPORS.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
MIXTURES OF.../ACETIC ACID, PERCHLORIC ACID AND ACETIC ANHYDRIDE/ HAVE VARYING DEGREES OF SENSITIVITY TO SHOCK. ...ADDITION OF ACETIC ANHYDRIDE TO AQ SOLN OF PERCHLORIC ACID CAUSES FORMATION OF ACETIC ACID WHICH CAN REACT VIOLENTLY WITH PERCHLORIC ACID.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
PERCHLORIC ACID, WITH MORE THAN 50% BUT NOT MORE THAN 72% ACID is a solution of a strong oxidizing acid. May react vigorously or deflagrate when mixed with oxidizable material [Merck]. This includes (but is not limited to) alcohols, amines, boranes, dicyanogen, hydrazines, hydrocarbons, hydrogen, nitroalkanes, powdered metals, silanes, or thiols [Bretherick 1979. p.174]. Perchloric acid ignites on contact with sulfinyl chloride. (Bailar, 1973, Vol. 2, 1442).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Perchloric Acid in the storage compatibility matrix →