Calcium hypochlorite

Properties

Safety Information

Description

Calcium hypochlorite (molecular formula: Ca (ClO)2) is a kind of inorganic compound. It appears as a white granular solid with chlorine odor. Though it is relatively stable and non-combustible, it will accelerate the burning of combustible materials. Sodium hypochlorite solid is generally not commercialized. Instead, it is highly soluble in water and can be formulated into various concentrations. The resulting sodium hypochlorite solutions appears as clear, green to yellow liquids. It has two major applications. One is sanitation. For this purpose, it is primarily used as bleaching agent or disinfectants to sanitize publish swimming pools as well as disinfect drinking water. It is also used in the disinfection of surfaces and equipment of kitchen and bathroom. Moreover, it can be used as algaecides, herbicide and laundry detergents. Another major application is in organic chemistry. It can act as a general oxidizing agent for the cleavage of glycols, keto acids to obtain fragmented aldehydes or carboxylic acid. It can also be used for the manufacture of chloroform. Calcium hypochlorite can be manufactured through the reaction between limes (Ca(OH)2) with chlorine gas to give various concentrations of products. Calcium hypochlorite is toxic. Its solution can emit toxic gases such as chlorine. Inhalation can lead to olfactory fatigue and irritation on the lung airway. It is also irritating to the skin and eye upon contact. Ingestion of it can cause vomiting and corrosive injury to the gastrointestinal tract.