The chlorate anion has the formula ClO3−. In this case, the chlorine atom's in the +5 oxidation state. "Chlorate" can also refer to chemical compounds containing this anion; chlorates are the salts of chloric acid. "Chlorate", when followed by a roman numeral in parenthesis, for example chlorate(VII), refers to a particular oxyanion of chlorine. As predicted by VSEPR, chlorate anions have trigonal pyramidal structures. Chlorates are powerful oxidizers and should be kept away from organics… (More on Chlorates)