What is Hypochlorous acid?
'''Hypochlorous acid''' is a [[chemical compound]]. Its chemical formula is HClO or HOCl. It is not stable. It contains chlorine in its +1 [[oxidation state]]. It is a powerful [[oxidizing agent]]. It is made by reacting [[sodium hypochlorite]] with an acid that cannot be [[oxidation|oxidized]], such as [[phosphoric acid]]. If the acid can be oxidized, the hypochlorous acid will be destroyed. It is used to make some chemicals. It breaks down into [[hydrochloric acid]] and [[oxygen]] in sunlight. It reacts with hydrochloric acid to make [[chlorine]] gas. It is a powerful [[disinfectant]].<ref name=ref96>{{cite journal|last1=Venkobachar|first1=C|last2=Iyengar|first2=L|last3=Prabhakararao|first3=A|title=Mechanism of disinfection☆|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_water-research_1975_9/page/119|journal=Water Research|volume=9|page=119|year=1975|doi=10.1016/0043-1354(75)90160-8}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} ==Related pages== *[[Perchlorate]] *[[Chlorate]] *[[Hypochlorite]] {{chem-stub}} [[Category:Acids]] [[Category:Chlorine compounds]]