Potassium chlorite is a potassium salt of chlorous acid (HClO₂) having a chemical formula KClO₂. It exists as white powder and its annhydrous form easily undergoes decomposition in presence of heat or radiation (especially gamma rays).^[1]

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Potassium chlorite

Names
IUPAC name potassium;chlorite
Identifiers
CAS Number	14314-27-3 13898-47-0 (parent)
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	8466227
MeSH	67063160
PubChem CID	23669246
UNII	71K32L1LFJ
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID90931758
InChI InChI=1S/ClHO2.K/c2-1-3;/h(H,2,3);/q;+1/p-1 Key: VISKNDGJUCDNMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M
SMILES [O-]Cl=O.[K+]
Properties
Chemical formula	KClO2, ClKO2
Molar mass	106.55 g/mol
Hazards
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Hazard statements	H314
Precautionary statements	P260, P264, P280, P301+P330+P331, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P310, P405, P501
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

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Potassium chlorite is a colorless hygroscopic crystal that deliquesces in the air. It decomposes upon heating into potassium chloride and oxygen, emitting light.

${\displaystyle {\ce {KClO2 -> {KCl}+ O2}}}$

Potassium chlorite forms orthorhombic cmcm crystals and has been reported to decompose within hours at room temperature.^[1][2] It is an oxidizing agent.

Some of the methods of preparation of potassium chlorite are:

• Thermal decomposition of potassium chlorate

${\displaystyle {\ce {2KClO3 -> 2KClO2 + O2}}}$

• Reaction of chloric acid and potassium hydroxide

${\displaystyle {\ce {HClO2 + KOH -> KClO2 + H2O}}}$