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| Calcium hypochlorite | |
|---|---|
| Systematic name | Calcium hypochlorite |
| Other names | HTH |
| Molecular formula | Ca(ClO)2 |
| Molar mass | 143.1 g/mol |
| Density | x.xxx g/cm3 |
| Solubility (water) | x.xx g/l |
| Melting point | xx.x °C |
| Boiling point | xx.x °C |
| CAS number | * |
| Chemical infobox | |
Calcium hypochlorite is a chemical compound with formula ()2. It is widely used for water treatment and as a bleaching agent (bleaching powder). This chemical is considered to be relatively stable and has greater available chlorine than sodium hypochlorite (liquid bleach).
Preparation
It is manufactured using the calcium process and sodium process. Or it can be prepared by the action of slaked lime on chlorine:
- Ca(OH)2 + Cl2 → Ca(OCl)2 + H2
Properties
It is a yellow white solid which has a strong smell of chlorine. Calcium hypochlorite is not highly soluble in water. For that reason it should preferably be used in soft to middle hard water. There are two types of calcium hypochlorite - a dry form and a hydrated form. The hydrated form is safer to handle.
Calcium hypochlorite reacts with carbon dioxide to form calcium carbonate and release chlorine:
- Ca(OCl)2 + CO2 → CaCO3 + Cl2
Calcium hypochlorite reacts with hydrochloric acid to form calcium chloride:
- Ca(OCl)2 + 2 HCl → CaCl2 + H2O + Cl2
Uses
Calcium hypochlorite is used for the disinfection of drinking water or swimming pool water. For use in outdoor swimming pools, calcium hypochlorite can be used as a sanitiser in combination with a cyanuric acid stabiliser. The stabiliser will reduce the loss of chlorine because of UV radiation.
Calcium hypochlorite is also used for bleaching cotton and linen and used in the manufacture of chloroform.
External links
"Calcium hypochlorite"