Calcium Hypochlorite

Calcium Hypochlorite 

What is calcium hypochlorite?

Calcium hypochlorite is an inorganic chemical compound. Its formula is CA(OCl)Cl. It is made up of one calcium cation and two hypochlorite anions. Calcium hypochlorite is produced from the chemical reaction between gaseous chlorine and calcium hydroxide. It is usually produced in the form of mineral lime. It is a white solid but commercial samples seem to appear yellow. It stays stable at room temperature but if it is kept in moist air and area it may start to decompose which will result in a strong smell of chlorine.

It is commonly referred to as bleaching powder which is the main active ingredient of commercial products.

History 

In the late 18th century, an industrial process of manufacture of chloride of lime was developed by Charles Tennant and Charles Macintosh. It was discovered in 1799 and was heavily used for disinfecting wounds and trenches during world war I

Properties of Calcium Hypochlorite 

Chemical Data

• The IUPAC Name of this Chemical compound is Calcium Hypochlorite
• The formula of Calcium Hypochlorite is CA(CLO)2
• The Molar Mass( molecular weight) is 142.98 grams per mole
• The density at 20°C is 2m35 grams per cubic centimeters
• Its melting point  is 373k (100°C)
• Its boiling point is 175°C

Properties

Physical properties

• Calcium hypochlorite compound is a white or grey solid at room temperature 
• Its water solubility is 21 grams per 100 ml
• It can easily be dissolved in either soft or medium hard water and is hard to dissolve in hard water.

Chemical properties 

• It reacts with hydrochloric acid by yielding water, calcium chloride, and chloride gas.
• Powerful oxidizing agent because it can accept an electron readily.

Uses

• Since it is a good oxidizing agent it is used in the field of organic chemistry.
• It is used in the reaction of haloform, yielding chloroform.
• Because it has a high chlorine availability it is used to disinfect both drinking and wastewater.
• Used in bleaching solutions.

Safety

• Shouldn’t be stored in wet, hot, or near any acid, organic materials, combustion materials, or metals.
• Toxic by ingestion, skin contact, and inhalation.