Sodium Hypochlorite Sodium hypochlorite, the active ingredient in household bleach, was discovered by the French chemist Berthollet, in Javel on the outskirts

Sodium HypochloriteSodium Hypochlorite

Sodium hypochlorite, the active Sodium hypochlorite, the active ingredient in household bleach, was ingredient in household bleach, was discovered by the French chemist discovered by the French chemist Berthollet, in Javel on the outskirts Berthollet, in Javel on the outskirts of Paris, in 1787 of Paris, in 1787

L eau de Javel

Louis Pasteur discovered sodium Louis Pasteur discovered sodium hypochlorite's potent effectiveness hypochlorite's potent effectiveness against disease-causing bacteria, against disease-causing bacteria, and it became widely used as a and it became widely used as a disinfectant. disinfectant.


Studies by numerous independent Studies by numerous independent research institutes have supported research institutes have supported the high level of disinfection the high level of disinfection effectiveness of sodium hypochlorite. effectiveness of sodium hypochlorite. It is recognized as having an It is recognized as having an unsurpassed disinfection spectrum. unsurpassed disinfection spectrum.


As good as sunshine

Sodium hypochlorite, NaOCl, is Sodium hypochlorite, NaOCl, is manufactured by the reaction of manufactured by the reaction of molecular chlorine with sodium molecular chlorine with sodium hydroxide and water. hydroxide and water.

A small excess of sodium hydroxide A small excess of sodium hydroxide is required to maintain the is required to maintain the pH pH between 11 and 13between 11 and 13 to minimize to minimize decomposition. decomposition.


Sodium hypochlorite Sodium hypochlorite disproportionates spontaneously to disproportionates spontaneously to chloride and chlorate. chloride and chlorate.

This disproportionation is This disproportionation is accelerated by ionic strength, accelerated by ionic strength, temperaturetemperature and concentration of and concentration of the bleach. the bleach.


Sodium hypochlorite solutions are Sodium hypochlorite solutions are often mistakenly referred to as often mistakenly referred to as "chlorine bleach". This arises "chlorine bleach". This arises because of the use of chlorine in its because of the use of chlorine in its manufacture. However, this is truly manufacture. However, this is truly a misnomer as "chlorine" gas is not a misnomer as "chlorine" gas is not present in the product nor is it present in the product nor is it involved in the product's mode of involved in the product's mode of action. action.


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Sodium Hypochlorite Sodium hypochlorite, the active ingredient in household bleach, was discovered by the French chemist Berthollet, in Javel on the outskirts