Preparation of Oxygen - From Potassium Chlorate

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When Potassium chlorate is heated strongly it decomposes to give oxygen. But if a catalyst like manganese dioxide is mixed with it, oxygen is liberated at much lower temperature, in much shorter time. Potassium chlorate and manganese dioxide are mixed in the proportion of 3:1 by mass and the mixture is heated to liberate oxygen.

While using manganese dioxide as a catalyst, care must be taken to see that it is pure. At times, it may be adulterated with charcoal powder. If so, it may explode when heated with KClO₃. When performing this experiment, it is advisable to heat the manganese dioxide alone, till all charcoal particles are burnt out. Then mix it with potassium chlorate for preparing oxygen.