Substance profile
Potassium Bromate
Potassium Bromate is a white hexagonal crystal and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Potassium Bromate is
Potassium Bromate is a white hexagonal crystal and is odorless. It boils at 370 °C, melts at 434 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as carcinogens.
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.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H271 | May cause fire or explosion; strong oxidiser. |
| H350 | May cause cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed. |
Precautionary statements: P201, P270, P280, P301, P308, P310, P313, P330
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Potassium Bromate 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 | 370 °C (698 °F) | decomposes | CAMEO |
| Melting point | 434 °C (813.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| 350 °C (662 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 3.27 g/cm³ | CAMEO | |
| 3.27 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | DOE PAC | |
| Solubility | Soluble in 12.5 ppm water, 2 parts boiling water | HSDB | |
| Soluble in boiling water | HSDB | ||
| Insoluble in ethanol | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Fire and explosion
Fire and explosion behaviour of Potassium Bromate
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
It forms very flammable mixtures with combustible materials and this mixture may be explosive if the combustible material is very finely divided. Prolonged exposure to fire or heat by the material can result in an explosion.
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Potassium Bromate
Storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Strong reducing agents, powdered metals.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
POTASSIUM BROMATE is a strong oxidizing agent. Forms very flammable mixtures with combustible materials. Such mixtures may be explosive if the combustible material is finely divided and are often ignitable by friction. A mixture with finely divided aluminum can explode by heat, percussion, and friction [Mellor 2:310. 1946-47]. Reacts explosively with selenium [Mellor 2 Supp1:763. 1956].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Potassium Bromate in the storage compatibility matrix →