sodium hypochlorite
chemical compound
Quick Summary
Sodium hypochlorite is an unstable salt with the chemical formula NaOCl. It is typically produced in an aqueous solution and is widely used as a bleaching and disinfecting agent.1
It is important to distinguish sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) from sodium chlorite (NaClO₂), which is a different compound also used as a bleaching and oxidizing agent. Elemental sodium, a reactive alkali metal, can react with water to form sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and is involved in various organic reactions, such as forming alcoholates with alcohols.23
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