Household bleach mainly contains sodium hypochloride, NaOCl (eau de Javel). It is an unstable white powder that dissolves in water to give a yellow stable solution.
It also contains small amounts of NaoH, and . The first method of producing bleach involved a reaction between chloride gas and sodium carbonate (). Later, sodium carbonate was replaced by caustic soda (soda lye), NaOH, a cheaper substance that also made the production more efficient.
In this reaction, is reaction with a solution of NaOH giving a spontaneous reaction:
The raw materials of the reaction, chloride and caustic soda come from the electrolysis of brine.
Bleach refers to a wide range of chemical substances that are used mainly in order to whiten fabrics, clean surfaces and disinfect water supplies.
This range of substances works by oxidizing the molecules that either stain our clothes/furniture, or are part of unwanted germs. They can be divided into two main products:
- Chlorine-based bleach: These function by releasing elemental chlorine. Elemental chloride on its own is also a form of bleach, although it is much more dangerous to handle.
- Peroxide-based bleach: They release oxygen, which does the oxidation itself. Oxygen is derived from the decomposition of peroxide compounds (R-O-O-R).
Hydrogen sulfide (formula: ) is a chemical compound which occurs as a colourless gas with acidic properties. Its characteristic odor, which resembles that of rotten eggs makes the identification of the compound easy.
It is present in the atmosphere (in low concetrations, less than 0.0003ppm) and also works as a signaling molecule for many animals, including humans. Its odor can be identified at concentrations of around 0.1 to 0.15ppm. As the concentration increases, it obtains a sweet odor and becomes deadly.
It's corrosive and flammable.
| Boiling Point | Acidity (pKa) |
|---|---|
| -60.2 Celcius | 7.0 |
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