Potassium Chlorate and Sugar ignitor

bjon-07

In a Potassium Chlorate (a strong) oxider and sugar is mixed with sulfuric acid a fire will break out. I understand that a acid-strong oxdizing reagent is exothermic reaction but why the sugar required.

mrjeffy321

I think the acid is only meant to get the Chlorate sugar reaction started.

so-crates

Yes, the proper question should probably be "Why is sulfuric acid required" as a catalyst. I imagine the mechamism is very similiar to that involved in the dehydration of alcohols, though I am not 100% positive.

MaximumTaco

It reacts with the chlorate releasing heat to get it started.

The KClO4 is the oxidiser and sugar is the fuel