Reactions
Sodium hypochlorite reacts gradually with metals such as zinc to produce the metal oxide or hydroxide:
- NaClO + Zn → ZnO + NaCl
It reacts with hydrochloric acid to release chlorine gas:
- NaClO + 2 HCl → Cl2 + H2O + NaCl
It reacts with other acids, such as acetic acid, to release hypochlorous acid:
- NaClO + CH3COOH → HClO + CH3COONa
It decomposes when heated to form sodium chlorate and sodium chloride:
- 3 NaClO → NaClO3 + 2 NaCl
In reaction with hydrogen peroxide it gives off molecular oxygen:
- NaClO + H2O2 → H2O + NaCl + O2↑
When dissolved in water it will slowly decompose, releasing chlorine, oxygen and sodium and hydroxide ions.
- 4 NaClO + 2 H2O → 4 Na+ + 4 OH- + 2 Cl2 + O2
Sodium hypochlorite reacts with most nitrogen compounts to form volatile chloramines, dichlormaines, and nitrogen trichloride:
- NH3 + NaOCl → NH2Cl + NaOH
- NH2Cl+ NaOCl → NHCl2 + NaOH
- NHCl2 + NaOCl → NCl3 + NaOH
In the presence of a phase-transfer catalyst, alcohols are oxidized to the corresponding carbonyl compound.
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