What is Chlorine dioxide?
'''Chlorine dioxide''' is a [[chemical compound]] (a thing made when two or more [[chemical element]]s attach to each other). Its [[chemical formula]] is ClO<sub>2</sub>. The Cl means 1 chlorine ion and the O2 means two oxide ions. The chlorine is in its +4 [[oxidation state]]. That means that when the chemical compound was made, four [[electron]]s were taken from the chlorine and given to the oxygens. ==Description== It is a [[yellow]]ish gas. It has a bad smell. It can [[explosive material|explode]] easily. It reacts (has [[chemical reaction]]s with) many other chemicals. It explodes when it is more than 15% concentration in air. When light is shined on it, it can explode. It [[solution|dissolves]] easily in cold water. ==How it is made== It is made by [[oxidation]] (the pulling of electrons away from) of [[sodium chlorite]] by chlorine gas. It can also be made by [[reduction (chemistry)|reduction]] (giving electrons to) of [[sodium chlorate]] in an [[acid]]ic solution. There are some [[reducing agent]]s (chemicals that reduce another chemical) that can be used. [[Methanol]] (an alcohol), [[sulfur dioxide]] (a gas made by burning [[sulfur]]), [[hydrochloric acid]] (a common acid), or [[hydrogen peroxide]] can be used. There are even more ways to make chlorine dioxide. Sodium chlorite can react with a mixture of sodium hypochlorite and hydrochloric acid to make chlorine dioxide. Sodium chlorite reacts with hydrochloric acid to make chlorine dioxide. [[Electrolysis]] (the passing of an electric current through a liquid) of a chlorite solution like sodium chlorite makes chlorine dioxide. Chlorine dioxide can explode easily. That is why it is normally made when it is needed, and immediately dissolved in water to make it safer. It is not normally packaged and sent to people that need it. ==Uses== Chlorine dioxide is used to [[bleach]] wood pulp to make paper. It can also be used to [[disinfectant|disinfect]] water. There are some ways it is better than chlorine. It is less [[corrosive]] (breaking down othe