The chemical formula of bleaching powder is CaOCl₂, also written as Ca(OCl)Cl. Its chemical name is calcium hypochlorite-calcium chloride or calcium chlorohypochlorite. Bleaching powder is prepared by passing chlorine gas over dry slaked lime [Ca(OH)₂]: Ca(OH)₂ + Cl₂ → CaOCl₂ + H₂O. It is a pale yellow powder with a strong smell of chlorine.
Bleaching powder formula: CaOCl₂ or Ca(OCl)Cl.
Chemical name: calcium hypochlorite-calcium chloride (calcium chlorohypochlorite).
Prepared by: Ca(OH)₂ + Cl₂ → CaOCl₂ + H₂O (at below 40°C).
It is a pale yellowish-white powder with a strong chlorine smell.
Active bleaching agent is hypochlorous acid (HOCl) released in water.
Reacts with CO₂ to release Cl₂: CaOCl₂ + CO₂ → CaCO₃ + Cl₂.
Loses bleaching power on prolonged exposure to air.
Bleaching powder is a mixture — not pure calcium hypochlorite.
Chemical formula: CaOCl₂ or Ca(OCl)Cl
Alternative representations: • CaOCl₂ (simplified formula) • Ca(OCl)Cl (structural formula showing both OCl and Cl groups) • Ca(ClO)Cl
Chemical names used: • Calcium hypochlorite-calcium chloride (mixture name) • Calcium chlorohypochlorite • Chlorinated lime • Bleaching powder
Note: Bleaching powder is not pure calcium hypochlorite Ca(OCl)₂. It is a mixture of calcium hypochlorite Ca(OCl)₂ and calcium chloride CaCl₂, along with Ca(OH)₂. The simplified formula CaOCl₂ represents this mixed compound.
Bleaching powder is prepared by passing chlorine gas over dry slaked lime at 40°C:
Ca(OH)₂ + Cl₂ → CaOCl₂ + H₂O
Word equation: Slaked lime + Chlorine → Bleaching powder + Water
Conditions: • Temperature should not exceed 40°C (above 40°C, Ca(OCl)₂ decomposes) • Ca(OH)₂ must be dry • Chlorine gas is passed in controlled amounts
Industrially: Chlorine gas from electrolysis of brine is passed over lime in rotating cylinders at 35–40°C.
Physical properties: • Pale yellowish-white powder • Strong, characteristic smell of chlorine • Partially soluble in water • Gives a white suspension when mixed with water
Chemical properties:
Reacts with CO₂ to release Cl₂: CaOCl₂ + CO₂ → CaCO₃ + Cl₂
Reacts with dilute acids to release Cl₂: CaOCl₂ + H₂SO₄ → CaSO₄ + Cl₂ + H₂O
Active ingredient is hypochlorous acid (HOCl) — formed when bleaching powder dissolves in water: CaOCl₂ + H₂O → Ca(OH)₂ + 2HOCl
Slowly decomposes in air — loses bleaching power over time.
The chemical formula of bleaching powder is CaOCl₂, also written as Ca(OCl)Cl. Its chemical name is calcium hypochlorite-calcium chloride or calcium chlorohypochlorite.
Bleaching powder is prepared by passing chlorine gas over dry slaked lime at below 40°C: Ca(OH)₂ + Cl₂ → CaOCl₂ + H₂O. The temperature must be kept below 40°C to prevent decomposition of the product.
The active bleaching component is hypochlorous acid (HOCl), which is released when bleaching powder dissolves in water: CaOCl₂ + H₂O → Ca(OH)₂ + 2HOCl. HOCl releases nascent oxygen which oxidises coloured substances, causing bleaching.
No. Bleaching powder (CaOCl₂) is not the same as pure calcium hypochlorite Ca(OCl)₂. Bleaching powder is a mixture compound containing both hypochlorite and chloride groups bound to calcium.
Bleaching powder reacts with CO₂ in air: CaOCl₂ + CO₂ → CaCO₃ + Cl₂. The chlorine is released and escapes, reducing the active bleaching agent content. Prolonged exposure to air and moisture causes complete loss of bleaching power.
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