Overview

Sodium hypochlorite (SO-dee-um hye-po-KLOR-ite) is the active ingredient in liquid chlorine bleaches, used in the home and many industries to whiten fabric and other materials and to disinfect surfaces and water. The anhydrous compound is very unstable and explodes readily. The pentahydrate is a pale-green crystalline solid that is relatively stable. The compound is usually made available as an aqueous solution that contains anywhere from 3 to 6 percent sodium hypochlorite (for household use) to as high as 30 percent (for industrial applications). In solution form, sodium hypochlorite is quite stable and can be stored for long periods of time out of sunlight.

Sodium hypochlorite decomposes by two mechanisms. In one case, it breaks down to form sodium chloride and sodium chlorate:

3NaOCl → 2NaCl + NaClO₃

Key Facts

Other Names:

Sodium oxychloride; hypochlorite; bleach; chlorine bleach

Formula:

NaClO

Elements:

Sodium, chlorine, oxygen

Compound Type:

Oxy salt (inorganic)

State:

Solid...