Blue Christmas, net i desinfectat

Sodium hypochlorite is a chemical compound with the formula NaClO.



Sodium hypochlorite solution, commonly known as bleach, is frequently used as a disinfectant and as a bleaching agent. Sodium chlorate [[NaClO3]] may be prepared by absorbing chlorine gas in hot and concentrated sodium hydroxide solution:

2NaOH + Cl2 → NaCl + NaClO + H2O

Whereas, sodium hypochlorite NaOCl and sodium chloride NaCl is formed when chlorine is passed into cold and dilute sodium hydroxide solution. It is prepared industrially by electrolysis minimal separation between the anode and the cathode. The solution must be kept below 40 °C (by cooling coils) to prevent the formation of sodium chlorate.

3Cl2 + 6NaOH → 5NaCl + NaClO3 + 3H2O

Sodium hydroxide and chlorine are commercially produced by the chloralkali process, and there is no need to isolate them to prepare sodium hypochlorite. Hence, chlorine is simultaneously reduced and oxidized. The commercial solutions always contain significant amounts of sodium chloride (common salt) as the main byproduct, as seen in the equation above.

Household bleach sold for use in laundering clothes is a 3-6% solution of sodium hypochlorite at the time of manufacture. Strength varies from one formulation to another and gradually decreases with long storage. A 12% solution is widely[citation needed] used in waterworks for the chlorination of water and a 15% solution is more commonly used for disinfection of waste water in treatment plants. High-test hypochlorite (HTH) is sold for chlorination of swimming pools and contains approximately 30% calcium hypochlorite. The crystalline salt is also sold for the same use; this salt usually contains less than 50% of calcium hypochlorite. However, the level of "active chlorine" may be much higher.It can also be found on store shelves in "Daily Sanitizing Sprays", as the sole active ingredient at 0.0095%.