Hypochlorous acid
| Chemical Compound | |
|---|---|
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | |
| PubChem CID | |
| ChemSpider ID | |
| UNII | |
| ChEBI | |
| ChEMBL | |
| Properties | |
| Chemical Formula | |
| Molar Mass | |
| Appearance | |
| Density | |
| Melting Point | |
| Boiling Point | |
| Hazards | |
| GHS Pictograms | [[File:|50px]] |
| GHS Signal Word | |
| GHS Hazard Statements | |
| NFPA 704 | [[File:|50px]] |
| References | |
Hypochlorous acid (HClO) is a weak acid that forms when chlorine dissolves in water. It is an oxidizer and is used as a disinfectant. Hypochlorous acid is the active ingredient in bleach and is also produced by the human immune system to kill pathogens.
Chemical Properties[edit]
Hypochlorous acid has the chemical formula HClO and a molar mass of 52.46 g/mol. It is a colorless aqueous solution that is miscible with water. As a weak acid, it partially dissociates in water to form the hypochlorite ion (ClO⁻) and a hydrogen ion (H⁺).
Production[edit]
Hypochlorous acid is produced by dissolving chlorine gas (Cl₂) in water:
It can also be produced by the reaction of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) with a weak acid, such as acetic acid:
Uses[edit]
Hypochlorous acid is widely used for its disinfectant properties. It is effective against a broad range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It is used in various applications, including:
- Water treatment: Used to disinfect drinking water and swimming pools.
- Healthcare: Used for wound care and as a disinfectant in hospitals.
- Food industry: Used to sanitize food preparation surfaces and equipment.
Biological Role[edit]
In the human body, hypochlorous acid is produced by neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, during the immune response. It plays a crucial role in the destruction of pathogens through a process known as the respiratory burst.
Safety and Handling[edit]
Hypochlorous acid is a corrosive substance and an oxidizer. It should be handled with care, using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). It can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract.
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding the page. |
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Content may be inaccurate or outdated and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical decisions. Verify information with trusted sources such as CDC.gov and NIH.gov. By using this site, you agree that WikiMD is not liable for any outcomes related to its content. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
