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

The experiments included exposure to powerful shock waves comparable to those created by meteorite impacts on Mars, as well as perchlorate salts, which are toxic compounds known to exist in Martian soil.

From Science Daily • Feb. 8, 2026

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

As for packaging, foods in plastic containers had the highest levels of perchlorate, averaging nearly 54 ppb, followed by foods in plastic wrap and paperboard.

From Salon • Aug. 8, 2024

Potassium perchlorate, KClO4, can be obtained by carefully heating the chlorate until it first melts and then nearly all solidifies again.

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