Potassium bromate (KBrO) is a highly oxidizing, toxic, and suspected carcinogenic inorganic compound. Its core characteristics can be summarized as white crystals, high-temperature decomposition, strong oxidation, high toxicity, and prohibited food additives.
1、 Basic physical characteristics
      Appearance: Colorless or white cubic crystal/powder, odorless.
Density: 3.27 g/cm ³ (17.5 ℃).
      Melting point: 350 ℃; Decomposition temperature: about 370 ℃ (releasing O ₂ and generating KBr).
Solubility:
      Water: Approximately 70 g/L at 20 ℃ and 49.8 g/100 mL at 100 ℃ (significantly increasing with increasing temperature).
      Slightly soluble in ethanol, insoluble in acetone.
      Stability: Stable at room temperature, sensitive to humidity.
2、 Core chemical properties
      Strong oxidizing agent: A typical strong oxidizing agent that is prone to combustion and explosion when mixed with organic matter, reducing agents, sulfur, phosphorus, and metal powders.
      Thermal decomposition: 2KBrO ∝→ 2KBr+3O ₂ ↑ (370 ℃).
Acid base reaction:
      Under acidic conditions, the oxidation ability is enhanced, and it can oxidize I ⁻, Fe ² ⁺, etc.
      Generate bromic acid with sulfuric acid and elemental bromine with hydrobromic acid.
3、 Toxicity and safety risks
      Acute toxicity: Oral LD ₅₀ ≈ 157 mg/kg in rats; Ingestion can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, kidney damage, and serious death.
      Carcinogenicity: IARC classifies it as a Class 2B carcinogen (possibly human carcinogen), and animal experiments have shown that it can induce kidney cancer.
      Irritation: Strong irritation to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, can cause burns.
      Combustible: It does not ignite on its own, but supports combustion and strongly oxidizes, increasing the risk of fire.
4、 Main purpose (restricted)
      Analytical reagent: Reference substance, used for redox titration.
      Industrial bleaching: wool and silk bleaching, now restricted.
      Flour improvement (prohibited): used as a gluten enhancer to improve baking quality; China has completely banned it since July 2005, and multiple countries have simultaneously banned it.
5、 Key identification points
      Strong oxidizing agent+toxic+carcinogenic triple risk, strictly prohibited from food contact.
      Water soluble is neutral, releases oxygen at high temperatures, and is dangerous when mixed with reducing agents.
      Prohibited in food, strict protection is required for industrial use.

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