Hypochlorite
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Definition
The hypochlorite ion is ClO-. A hypochlorite (compound) is a compound containing this group, with chlorine in oxidation state +1.
Examples
- sodium hypochlorite, NaClO
- calcium hypochlorite, Ca(ClO)2
See category for a bigger list.
Discussion
Hypochlorites are the salts of hypochlorous acid. Common examples include sodium hypochlorite (used as "chlorine bleach") and calcium hypochlorite (bleaching powder). Hypochlorites are frequently quite unstable- for example sodium hypochlorite is not available as a solid, since removal of the water from NaOCl solution converts it to a mixture of sodium chloride and sodium chlorate.