Sodium chlorite
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Sodium chlorite
| |
| Preferred IUPAC name
Sodium chlorite | |
| Systematic IUPAC name
Sodium chlorite | |
| Other names
Chlorous acid, sodium salt
Textone | |
| Properties | |
| NaClO2 | |
| Molar mass | 90.442 g/mol (anhydrous) 144.487 g/mol (trihydrate) |
| Appearance | White solid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 2.468 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | anhydrous 180–200 °C (356-392 °F; 453-473 K) (decomposes) trihydrate 38 °C (100.4 °F; 311 K) (decomposes) |
| Boiling point | Decomposes |
| 75.8 g/100 ml (25 °C) 122 g/100 ml (60 °C) | |
| Solubility | Reacts with acids Slightly soluble in ethanol, methanol |
| Acidity (pKa) | 10-11 |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std enthalpy of
formation (ΔfH |
-307.0 kJ/mol |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet | Sigma-Aldrich (80%) |
| Flash point | Non-flammable |
| Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
| LD50 (Median dose)
|
350 mg/kg (rat, oral) |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds
|
Sodium hypochlorite Sodium chlorate Sodium perchlorate |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
Sodium chlorite is an oxidizer used in the manufacturing of paper and as a disinfectant. It has the chemical formula NaClO2.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Sodium chlorite reacts with acids and elemental chlorine to yield chlorine dioxide.
- 2 NaClO2 + Cl2 → 2 ClO2 + 3 NaCl + H2O
- 5 NaClO2 + 4 HCl → 5 NaCl + 4 ClO2 + 2 H2O
Physical
Sodium chlorite is a solid soluble in water.
Availability
Sodium chlorite is sold by lab suppliers.
Preparation
Sodium chlorite can be made by reducing sodium chlorate in a strong acid solution with a suitable reducing agent, like sodium sulfite, sulfur dioxide or even hydrochloric acid. This produces chlorine dioxide, which is then absorbed into an alkaline solution and reduced with hydrogen peroxide, yielding sodium chlorite. The final product will always contain 20% sodium chloride.
Reaction of chlorine with sodium nitrate will yield sodium chlorite and nitrosyl chloride.
- NaNO3 + Cl2 → NaClO2 + NOCl
Projects
- Make chlorine dioxide
- Pinnick oxidation
- Disinfectant and biocide
Handling
Safety
Sodium chlorite is a strong oxidant and ingestion will cause methemoglobinemia, hemolysis, renal failure. A dose of 10-15 grams of sodium chlorate can be lethal.
Storage
In closed plastic bottles, away from acids and light.
Disposal
Can be neutralized with a reducing agent, like sodium metabisulfite.
