Properties | More Info | Isotopes | Spectra
Compounds | Reactions | Production
Atomic: M.A.C. | Reference
Images | Video
Chlorine Compounds
   Calcium hypochlorite
   Hydrochloric acid
   Chlorine dioxide
   Sodium Chloride
   Sodium hypochlorite
Calcium hypochlorite Ca(ClO)2
It is widely used for water treatment (drinking water or swimming pools) 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).
Hydrochloric acid HCl
: Highly Corrosive :
Hydrochloric acid is a strong inorganic acid that is used in many industrial processes.
The largest hydrochloric acid consumption is in the production of organic compounds such as vinyl chloride for PVC, and MDI and TDI for polyurethane. This is often captive use, consuming locally-produced hydrochloric acid that never actually reaches the open market. Other organic compounds produced with hydrochloric acid include bisphenol A for polycarbonate, activated carbon, and ascorbic acid, as well as numerous pharmaceutical products.
Hydrochloric acid is a fundamental chemical, and as such it is used for a large number of small-scale applications, such as leather processing, household cleaning, and building construction. In addition, a way of stimulating oil production is by injecting hydrochloric acid into the rock formation of an oil well, dissolving a portion of the rock, and creating a large-pore structure. Oil-well acidizing is a common process in the North Sea oil production industry.
Many chemical reactions involving hydrochloric acid are applied in the production of food, food ingredients, and food additives. Typical products include aspartame, fructose, citric acid, lysine, hydrolyzed (vegetable) protein as food enhancer, and in gelatin production. Food-grade (extra-pure) hydrochloric acid can be applied when needed for the final product. Mixing simple aluminium foil with hydrochloric acid produces hydrogen. The hydrogen can then be stored in a balloon. Upon application of a flame to the balloon it will produce a fiery explosion.
Chlorine dioxide ClO2
: Oxidizer : Highly Toxic :
A reddish-yellow gas which is one of several known oxides of chlorine. Chlorine dioxide is not stable in the gas state above 15% volume in air at STP and can spontaneously and explosively decompose into chlorine and oxygen.
Chlorine dioxide is used primarily (95%+) for bleaching of wood pulp, but is also used for the bleaching of flour and for the disinfection of water. Chlorine dioxide is also used in conjunction with ozone disinfection of water to reduce the formation of bromates which are regulated carcinogens.
It is more effective than chlorine against viruses, bacteria and protozoa
Sodium Chloride NaCl
Sodium chloride, also known as common salt, table salt, or halite. Sodium chloride is the salt most responsible for the salinity of the ocean and of the extracellular fluid of many multicellular organisms.
It is essential to life on Earth. Most biological tissues and body fluids contain a varying amount of salt. The concentration of sodium ions in the blood is directly related to the regulation of safe body-fluid levels. Propagation of nerve impulses by signal transduction is regulated by sodium ions. (Potassium, a metal closely related to Sodium, is also a major component in the same bodily systems).
Sodium hypochlorite NaOCl
A solution of sodium hypochlorite is frequently used as a disinfectant and as a bleaching agent; indeed, often it is simply called "bleach", though other chemicals are sometimes given that name as well.