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A hypochlorite is a salt or ester of hypochlorous acid. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is an unstable salt commonly used as a bleaching and disinfecting agent. Hypochlorites are related to chlorine, a toxic, corrosive, greenish-yellow gas that is an element in Group 17 of the periodic table. Chlorine compounds are widespread, with sodium chloride being the most common.123

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