Description
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Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is a chemical compound commonly used as a disinfectant, bleach, or sanitizer. In a 10% solution, it contains 10% of sodium hypochlorite by weight dissolved in water. Here’s a more detailed description:
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Appearance: Sodium hypochlorite solution is typically a pale yellow to greenish liquid.
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Chemical Formula: NaOCl.
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Concentration: A 10% solution indicates that 10 grams of sodium hypochlorite are present in 100 milliliters of the solution.
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Uses:
- Disinfection: Commonly used for cleaning and sanitizing surfaces in homes, hospitals, and industries.
- Water treatment: Used to disinfect drinking water and swimming pools.
- Bleaching: Sodium hypochlorite is used as a bleaching agent in textiles, paper, and other materials.
- Oxidation: It also acts as a strong oxidizer in various chemical processes.
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Properties:
- Strong Oxidizer: Sodium hypochlorite is a powerful oxidizing agent, which is why it’s so effective for disinfecting and bleaching.
- pH: It is highly alkaline, with a typical pH around 11-13 when in solution.
- Decomposes over time: Sodium hypochlorite solutions can decompose, especially when exposed to light, heat, or air, releasing chlorine gas, which has a strong odor.
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Safety Considerations:
- Corrosive: Sodium hypochlorite can cause skin irritation, burns, and damage to mucous membranes.
- Toxic: Ingesting or inhaling concentrated sodium hypochlorite can be harmful and should be avoided.
- Reactivity: It should not be mixed with acids (such as vinegar) or ammonia, as this can release toxic gases (chlorine gas in the case of acid mixing and chloramines when mixed with ammonia).
