Hypochlorites

Lewis structure of the hypochlorite anion

A hypochlorite is a salt (for example as sodium hypochlorite ) of the hypochlorous acid HClO (also hypochlorous acid ). It contains the ion ClO ^- . Chlorine is in the +1 oxidation state .

The organic hypochlorites R – OCl are very unstable.

Extraction and presentation

In addition to chloride, hypochlorite is formed when chlorine is introduced into aqueous alkali hydroxide solutions :

${\displaystyle \mathrm {Cl_{2}+2\ OH^{-}\longrightarrow Cl^{-}+ClO^{-}+H_{2}O} }$

properties

Hypochlorites are inconsistent. Example: Through alkaline catalysis, sodium hypochlorite breaks down into sodium chloride and singlet oxygen (red phosphorescence ):

${\displaystyle \mathrm {2\ NaOCl\longrightarrow 2\ NaCl+O_{2}(^{1}\Delta _{g})\longrightarrow O_{2}(^{3}\Sigma _{g}^{-})+h\cdot \nu } }$

In solution, hypochlorite gradually disproportionates to chlorate and chloride :

${\displaystyle \mathrm {3\ ClO^{-}\longrightarrow ClO_{3}^{-}+2\ Cl^{-}} }$

use

Hypochlorites are used for bleaching and disinfecting , see also Javel water ("Eau de Javelle", an aqueous solution of potassium hypochlorite ) and "Eau de Labarraque" (aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite ). Hypochlorite solutions are also used to deodorize waste water from chemical production processes. They are also part of the “respiratory burst” as part of the cellular defense against microorganisms. There they are formed, for example, by neutrophil myeloperoxidase and released into the phagosome .

In the laboratory, hypochlorite can be used to produce chloroform through the haloform reaction .

Warning notice

Detergents and disinfectants that contain hypochlorites and chlorides should never be used together with acidic cleaners (e.g. bio-cleaners that contain acetic acid ) because this releases toxic chlorine gas (Cl ₂ ):

${\displaystyle \mathrm {2\ H_{3}O^{+}+\ OCl^{-}+\ Cl^{-}\longrightarrow 3\ H_{2}O\ +\ Cl_{2}} }$

Web links

Commons : Hypochlorite  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Otto-Albrecht Neumüller (Ed.): Römpps Chemie-Lexikon. Volume 3: H-L. 8th revised and expanded edition. Franckh'sche Verlagshandlung, Stuttgart 1983, ISBN 3-440-04513-7 , p. 1820.
2. ^ Brockhaus ABC Chemie , VEB FA Brockhaus Verlag Leipzig 1965, p. 569.
3. ↑ Otto-Albrecht Neumüller (Ed.): Römpps Chemie-Lexikon. Volume 2: Cm-G. 8th revised and expanded edition. Franckh'sche Verlagshandlung, Stuttgart 1981, ISBN 3-440-04512-9 , pp. 898-899.
4. ↑ G. Löffler, P. Petrides (editor): Biochemie und Pathobiochemie , Springer Medizinverlag Heidelberg 2007, p. 974.
5. ↑ Test protocol : reaction of sanitary cleaners