Sodium hypochlorite

Properties

General
Name	Sodium hypochlorite
Chemical formula	NaClO
Appearance	White solid
Physical
Formula weight	74.4 amu
Melting point	Decomposes at ?
Density	?
Crystal structure	?
Solubility	?
Thermochemistry
Safety
Ingestion	Dangerous, possibly fatal.
Inhalation	Dangerous, possibly fatal.
Skin	Causes burns, can be fatal.
Eyes	Causes burns.
More info	Hazardous Chemical Database
SI units were used where possible. Unless otherwise stated, standard conditions were used. Disclaimer and references

Sodium hypochlorite is a chemical compound with formula NaClO. A solution of sodium hypochlorite is used as a disinfectant and as a bleaching agent; indeed, often it is simply called bleach even though other chemicals are sometimes given that name as well.

Sodium hypochlorite (like all hypochlorites) is a salt of hypochlorous acid, HClO. In solution, it splits into the sodium cation Na⁺ and the hypochlorite anion ClO^-. The oxidizing power of the latter causes the bleaching and disinfecting effect.

A 5-6% solution of sodium hypochlorite is often called common household bleach. A 1:5 dilution of such a solution with water is effective against bacteria and viruses, and is often the disinfectant of choice in cleaning hospitals. The solution is corrosive however, and needs to be thoroughly removed afterwards; sometimes the bleach disinfection is therefore followed by an ethanol disinfection.

Bleach should never be mixed with urine or with other household cleaners, especially not with ones containing acid, since chlorine gas can form; or ammonia, since chloramine gas can form. Both chlorine gas and chloramine gas are highly toxic.

The CAS number of sodium hypochlorite is 7681-52-9 and the UN number of sodium hypochlorite solution is 1791.