perchlorate

American  

[per-klawr-eyt, -klohr-] / pərˈklɔr eɪt, -ˈkloʊr- /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a salt or ester of perchloric acid, as potassium perchlorate, KClO 4 .

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perchlorate British  

/ pəˈklɔːreɪt /

noun

1. any salt or ester of perchloric acid. Perchlorate salts contain the ion ClO 4 ^–

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perchlorate Scientific  

/ pər-klôr′āt′ /

1. A salt of perchloric acid, containing the group ClO ₄.

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Etymology

Origin of perchlorate

First recorded in 1820–30; per- + chlorate

Example Sentences

Two Iranian ships have been sailing from China with tons of sodium perchlorate, a main ingredient for producing solid propellant for ballistic missiles, The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

Ambrey Intelligence, a private maritime risk consultancy, told the Associated Press that the port received a shipment of sodium perchlorate last month, and that the blast was "reportedly the result of improper handling".

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2025

In 2003, the Environmental Working Group found perchlorate in nearly 20% of supermarket samples tested, often at high levels.

From Salon • Aug. 8, 2024

Once in the lab, the team modified the ionic liquid's formula, replacing the chlorine with perchlorate.

From Science Daily • Sep. 28, 2023

Perchloric acid is best prepared by distilling potassium perchlorate with concentrated sulphuric acid.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 3 "Chitral" to "Cincinnati" by Various