Strontium chlorate is a chemical compound with the formula Sr(ClO3)2. It is a strong oxidizing agent. It exists in several hydrated forms; the monohydrate (Sr(ClO3)2·H2O), the trihydrate (Sr(ClO3)2·3H2O), and the octahydrate (Sr(ClO3)2·8H2O) It has been used as an oxidizing agent in explosive mixtures, where it has a cooling effect because of the large amount of water of crystallization. It has also been used in a published Italian pyrotechnic violet star formula.
Preparation Strontium chlorate may be prepared by neutralizing an aqueous chloric acid (HClO3) solution with Sr(OH)2 or strontium carbonate (SrCO3) and then warming this solution over concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The anhydrous salt may be prepared by heating any of the hydrates to 120 °C (248 °F). It may also be prepared by warming a solution of strontium hydroxide and bubbling chlorine through it, with subsequent crystallization. Chlorine has no action on dry Sr(OH)2, but it converts the hydrate (Sr(OH)2·8H2O) into strontium chloride (SrCl2) and chlorate, with a small quantity of strontium hypochlorite also being produced.
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