Sodium Hypochlorite - Reactions

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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