Potassium Hypochlorite Formula
Potassium Hypochlorite Formula
Potassium Hypochlorite Formula is KCIO. Potassium hypochlorite is a colourless solution with a strong smell. By passing chlorine gas through a solution of potash lye, Claude Louis Berthollet created potassium hypochlorite for the first time in his laboratory in Paris, France, in 1789. The resultant liquid was a weak solution of Potassium Hypochlorite Formula, also referred to as “Eau de Javel” or “Javel water.” Due to production issues, sodium hypochlorite, a disinfectant that is still commonly used today, was created by changing the product from potassium to sodium. Potassium hypochlorite irritates the skin like sodium hypochlorite does. When it comes into touch with the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes, it can seriously harm them. Breathing difficulties, bronchial inflammation, and in extreme circumstances, pulmonary edoema, can all result from inhaling a KClO mist. Strong concentrations can be fatal if consumed. As a standalone substance, potassium hypochlorite is not regarded as a fire or explosive risk. However, Potassium Hypochlorite Formula has a wide range of chemical reactions that can be explosive, including those with urea, ammonium salts, methanol, acetylene, and many organic molecules. Chlorine gas can be hazardous and result from heating and acidity.
What is Potassium Hypochlorite?
The potassium salt of hypochlorous acid is known as potassium hypochlorite (KClO). The elements potassium, chlorine, and oxygen together make up potassium hypochlorite. A soft silvery-white metal, potassium is found in group 1 of the periodic table. It has an atomic number of 19, and the symbol K is used to denote it. Chlorine is a poisonous and caustic gas that is found in Periodic Table’s Group 17. In that group, it is the second-lightest element. It has an atomic number of 17, and the symbol Cl is used to denote it. An extremely reactive non-metal found in group-16 of the periodic table is oxygen. It has an atomic number of 8, and the symbol O represents it.
Preparation of Potassium Hypochlorite
Chlorine reacts with a solution of potassium hydroxide to form Potassium Hypochlorite Formula. The conventional approach was originally applied by Claude Louis Berthollet in 1789. The electrolysis of potassium chloride solution is another technique of synthesis of Potassium Hypochlorite Formula. Both approaches require that the reaction mixture be maintained cold to avoid the production of potassium chlorate. It can also be made through the reaction between calcium hypochlorite and potassium sulphate.
Physical Properties of Potassium Hypochlorite
Potassium hypochlorite appears as a colourless solution. It has a pungent smell. Potassium hypochlorite has a molecular weight of 90.55 g/mol. It has a boiling point of 102 °C. It has a -2 °C melting point. Potassium Hypochlorite Formula has a density of 1.160 g/cm3.
Chemical Properties of Potassium Hypochlorite
Potassium Hypochlorite Formula quickly disproportionates into potassium chlorate and potassium chloride. It is slightly soluble in water.
Potassium Hypochlorite Structure
The structure of potassium hypochlorite is made up of K+ , O– and Cl– ions.
Potassium Hypochlorite Uses
Potassium hypochlorite is used to disinfect drinking water as well as sanitise surfaces. Its usage has been pushed in agriculture, where adding potassium to soil is desirable, because its degradation produces potassium chloride rather than sodium chloride. Potassium Hypochlorite is also used as a bleaching agent. Potassium Hypochlorite Formula is used to clean water. In industries, potassium hypochlorite is used as an oxidizer.
Sample Questions
Students need to practice sample questions on Potassium Hypochlorite Formula. Hence, sample questions are available on the Extramarks website and mobile application.
