Potassium hypochlorite
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| Names | |||
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| IUPAC name
Potassium hypochlorite
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Other names
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| Identifiers | |||
3D model (JSmol)
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| ChemSpider | |||
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.029.008 | ||
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PubChemCID
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| UNII | |||
| UN number | 1791 | ||
CompTox Dashboard(EPA)
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| Properties | |||
| KOCl | |||
| Molar mass | 90.55g·mol−1 | ||
| Appearance | Colorless liquid (light yellow when impure) (aqueous solution)[1] | ||
| Odor | Pungent irritatingchlorine-like (aqueous solution)[1] | ||
| Density | 1.160 g/cm3 | ||
| Melting point | −2 °C (28 °F; 271 K) | ||
| Boiling point | 102 °C (216 °F; 375 K) (decomposes) | ||
| 25%[clarification needed] | |||
| Pharmacology | |||
| D08(WHO) | |||
| Hazards | |||
| GHSlabelling: | |||
 
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| Warning | |||
| H336,H411 | |||
| P261,P271,P273,P304+P340,P312,P391,P403+P233,P405,P501 | |||
| Safety data sheet(SDS) | MSDS | ||
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Otheranions
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Othercations
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Related compounds
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Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in theirstandard state(at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Potassium hypochloriteis achemical compoundwith thechemical formulaKOCl,also written as KClO. It is thepotassiumsaltofhypochlorous acid.It consists of potassiumcations(K+) andhypochloriteanions(−OCl). It is used in variable concentrations, often diluted in water solution. Itsaqueous solutionsare colorless liquids (light yellow when impure) that have a strongchlorinesmell.[1]It is used as abiocideanddisinfectant.[1]
Preparation
[edit]Potassium hypochlorite is produced by thedisproportionation reactionofchlorinewith a solution ofpotassium hydroxide:[2]
- Cl2+ 2 KOH → KCl + KOCl + H2O
This is the traditional method, first used byClaude Louis Bertholletin 1789.[3]
Another production method is electrolysis ofpotassium chloridesolution. With both methods, the reaction mixture must be kept cold to prevent formation ofpotassium chlorate.
Uses
[edit]Potassium hypochlorite is used for sanitizing surfaces as well as disinfectingdrinking water.Because its degradation leaves behindpotassium chloriderather thansodium chloride,its use has been promoted inagriculture,where addition of potassium tosoilis desired.[4]
History
[edit]Potassium hypochlorite was first produced in 1789 byClaude Louis Bertholletin his laboratory located inJavelinParis,France,by passingchlorinegas through a solution ofpotash lye.The resulting liquid, known as "Eau de Javel"(" Javel water "), was a weak solution of potassium hypochlorite. Due to production difficulties, the product was then modified usingsodiuminstead ofpotassium,giving rise tosodium hypochlorite,widely used today as adisinfectant.
Safety and toxicology
[edit]Likesodium hypochlorite,potassium hypochlorite is an irritant. It can cause severe damage on contact with the skin, eyes, andmucous membranes.[5]Inhalation of a mist of KOCl can causebronchusandlungirritation, difficulty breathing, and in severe casespulmonary edema.Ingestion of strong concentrations can be lethal.[6]Symptoms of contact or inhalation can be delayed.[1]
Potassium hypochlorite is not considered to cause a fire or explosive hazards by itself.[6]However, it can react explosively with numerous chemicals, includingurea,ammonium salts,methanol,acetylene,and manyorganic compounds.Heating andacidificationcan produce toxicchlorinegas.[7]Containers may explode upon exposure to heat.[1]Potassium hypochlorite forms highly explosiveNCl3upon contact with urea orammonia.[1]
References
[edit]- ^abcdefgh"Potassium hypochlorite".
- ^Uri Zoller, Paul Sosis (20 November 2008).Handbook of Detergents, Part F: Production.CRC Press. p. 452.ISBN9781420014655.Retrieved4 May2016.
- ^Helmut Vogt; Jan Balej; John E. Bennett; Peter Wintzer; Saeed Akhbar Sheikh; Patrizio Gallone (2007), "Chlorine Oxides and Chlorine Oxygen Acids",Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry(7th ed.), Wiley, p. 2
- ^"Enviro Klor: 12.5% POTASSIUM HYPOCHLORITE BLEACH ALTERNATIVE"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 15 September 2014.Retrieved14 September2014.
- ^,Environmental Protection Agency.2 March 2011.
- ^ab"Material Safety Data Sheet: Potassium Hypochlorite"(PDF).www.kasteelchemicals.com/.Retrieved15 September2014.
- ^"Potassium Hypochlorite".Chemical Book.Retrieved15 September2014.