Chemical Formula of Bleaching Powder & its Uses
Calcium hypochlorite is the chemical name of Bleaching Powder, and its chemical formula is Ca(ClO)2. Ca(ClO)2 is called Calcium Oxychloride.
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Bleaching Powder Preparation
The reaction of chlorine gas (produced from the chlor-alkali process) on dry slaked lime (Ca(OH)2). Ca(OH)2 + Cl2 → CaOCl2 + H2O gives Bleaching powder (CaOCl2)
From the above reaction, we see there are two chlorine atoms out of which one is bonded to the calcium atoms and the other to the oxygen. The molecular mass of it is 142.98 g/mol. Now the structural formula of bleaching powder or calcium hypochlorite is given as – Ca(ClO)2
Properties of Bleaching Powder
- It is basic in character.
- It is soluble in water and is used as a bleaching agent
- When it reacts with hydrochloric acid, it gives calcium chloride, chlorine and water.
- Bleach contains 5% sodium hypochlorite that gives a pH of about 11 and makes it irritating.
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Bleaching Powder Uses
- Used in the laundry for bleaching dirty clothes.
- Acts as a strong oxidizing agent, therefore it used as an oxidizer in many industries.
- Used as a disinfectant in drinking water to make potable water.
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