Hypochlorous acid

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Hypochlorous acid

General
Systematic name Hypochlorous acid
Molecular formula HClO
Molar mass 52.46 g/mol
Properties
Acid dissociation
constant pK_a 7.53

Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
[Chemical infoboxInfobox disclaimer and references]

Hypochlorous acid

General
Systematic name	Hypochlorous acid
Molecular formula	HClO
Molar mass	52.46 g/mol
Properties
Acid dissociation constant pK_a	7.53
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) [Chemical infoboxInfobox disclaimer and references]

Hypochlorous acid is a weak, unstable acid with chemical formula H Cl O. It occurs only in solution and is used as a bleach, an oxidizer, a deodorant, and a disinfectant.

In aqueous solution, hypochlorous acid partially decomposes into the hypochlorite anion ClO^- (also known as the chlorate(I) anion) and the proton H⁺. The salts of hypochlorous acid are also called hypochlorites. One of the best known hypochlorites is household bleach, sodium hypochlorite (NaClO).

When pure chlorine is added to water, it forms hypochlorous acid and hydrochloric acid (HCl):

Cl₂ + H₂O → HClO + HCl

In the presense of sunlight, hypochlorous acid decomposes into more hydrochloric acid and oxygen, so this reaction is sometimes seen as:

2Cl₂ + 2H₂O → 4HCl + O₂

Hypochlorous acid (HClO) is the stronger form of free chlorine, and hydrochloric acid (HCl) lowers pH and alkalinity.

In biology, hypochlorous acid is used by neutrophils to kill bacteria, and it is the active sanitiser in all chlorine based swimming pool products.

External links

[National Pollutant Inventory - Chlorine]

For a full list of external links to MSDSs, spectroscopic data, commercial chemicals suppliers etc. for this compound, see [Chemical sources].

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