| Identification | Back Directory | [Name]
hypochlorous acid | [CAS]
7790-92-3 | [Synonyms]
HClO
hypochlorous acid
High test hypochlorite | [EINECS(EC#)]
232-232-5 | [Molecular Formula]
ClHO | [MDL Number]
MFCD00871734 | [MOL File]
7790-92-3.mol | [Molecular Weight]
52.4603 |
| Chemical Properties | Back Directory | [Appearance]
Greenish-yellow aqueous solution.
Highly unstable, weak acid. Decomposes to hydrogen chloride and oxygen. Can exist only in dilute
solutions. | [Boiling point ]
125-130 °C(Press: 11 Torr) | [density ]
1.1655 g/cm3 | [solubility ]
soluble in H2O | [form ]
stable only in solution | [pka]
pK (25°) 7.49 | [color ]
green-yellow; stable
only in aqueous solution | [LogP]
0.710 (est) | [EPA Substance Registry System]
Hypochlorous acid (7790-92-3) |
| Hazard Information | Back Directory | [Hazard]
Irritant to skin and eyes. | [Chemical Properties]
Greenish-yellow aqueous solution.
Highly unstable, weak acid. Decomposes to hydrogen chloride and oxygen. Can exist only in dilute
solutions. | [Physical properties]
Greenish-yellow aqueous solution; unstable; weak acid, pKa7.40 at 25°C;soluble in water. | [Uses]
Disinfectant. | [Definition]
ChEBI: A chlorine oxoacid with formula HOCl; a weak, unstable acid, it is the active form of chlorine in water. | [Preparation]
Hypochlorous acid is obtained by dissolving chlorine in water, or by addingbleaching powder or sodium hypochlorite to water. A better method of pro-duction is passing chlorine gas into a well-agitated suspension of mercuricoxide:
2Cl2 + 2HgO + H2O → HgO•HgCl2 + 2HOCl
or by distilling chlorine hexahydrate and mercuric oxide at low pressure:
2Cl2•6H2O + HgO → 2HOCl + HgCl2 + 5H2O
The latter process can yield a 25% acid solution.
Hypochlorous acid also may be obtained by hydrolysis of chlorine monoflu-oride:
ClF + H2O → H+ + F¯ + HOCl
The above reaction may be explosive and is not recommended for preparinghypochlorous acid. |
| Questions And Answer | Back Directory | [Description]
Hypochlorous acid,HOCl,is a weak,unstable acid existing only in solution. Hypochlorous acid decomposes upon standing. The rate of decomposition depends on the concentration, pH, exposure to light, and the presence of contaminants that act as catalysts, for example, cobaltaus hydroxide. Hypochlorous acid is a powerful oxidizing agent and is used in bleaching operations. The compound maybe prepared by the reaction of chlorine monoxide and water, sodium hypochlorite and an acid,or chlorine with an aqueous suspension of mercuric oxide.
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