Salts of the chloric acids; i.e. salts containing the ions ClO− (chlorate(I) or hypochlorite), ClO2− (chlorate(III) or chlorite), ClO3− (chlorate(V)), or ClO4− (chlorate(VII) or perchlorate). When used without specification of an oxidation state the term ‘chlorate’ refers to a chlorate(V) salt.