Nomenclature
CAS number: 7681-52-9
Hypochlorous acid sodium salt (1:1).
ClNaO; mol wt 74.44.
Cl 47.63%, Na 30.88%, O 21.49%.
NaClO.
Description and references
Strong oxidizing and hydrolyzing agent; used
in aqueous solutions of various strengths for its bactericidal properties.
Prepn as the pentahydrate from NaOH and Cl2 in the presence
of water: Sanfourche, Gardent, Bull. Soc.
Chim. [4] 35, 1089 (1924); Schmeisser
in Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry vol. 1, G. Brauer, Ed. (Academic Press, New York, 2nd
ed., 1963) pp 309-310. Review of prepn and uses of Dakin's solution, a diluted antiseptic formulation: H. Plagge, Pharm. Ztg. 138, No. 14, 26-31
(1993). Review of toxicology and use as household bleach: F. Racioppi et al., Food Chem. Toxicol. 32, 845-861 (1994); of use in health care facilities:
W. A. Rutala, D. J. Weber, Clin. Microbiol.
Rev. 10, 597-610 (1997). Review of use as
endodontic irrigant: R. M. Clarkson, A. J. Moule, Aust. Dent. J. 43, 250-256 (1998).
Properties
Prepd as the pentahydrate, crystals, mp 18°. Dec by CO2 from
air. Anhydr NaClO may be obtained by freeze-drying in a vacuum (over
concd H2SO4). Anhydr
NaClO is very explosive. Soly at 0°: 29.3 g/100 ml H2O. Aqueous solutions for household bleach contain ≈5.25%.
Solutions for use as antiseptics contain ≈0.5% sodium hypochlorite
and are buffered or stabilized with various agents.Caution
Potential symptoms of overexposure
by ingestion are pain and inflammation of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus,
stomach; vomiting; circulatory collapse, cold and clammy skin, cyanosis,
shallow respirations; confusion, delirium, coma; edema of pharynx,
larynx, glottis with stridor and obstruction; perforation of esophagus,
stomach. Potential symptoms of overexposure by fume inhalation are
severe respiratory tract irritation, pulmonary edema. Direct contact
may cause vesicular eruptions on skin and eczematoid dermatitis. See Clinical Toxicology of Commercial
Products, R. E. Gosselin et al., Eds. (Williams
& Wilkins, Baltimore, 5th ed., 1984) Section III, pp 202-205.Use
Aq soln as bleach, disinfectant; chlorination of
swimming pools; sanitation of drinking water. Analytical use as chlorine
standard.
Therapeutic Category
Antiseptic, disinfectant.
Keywords
Antiseptic/Disinfectant; Halogens/Halogen Containing Compounds