hypochlorous

[ hahy-puh-klawr-uhs, -klohr- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

First recorded in 1835–45; hypo- + chlorous

It is readily soluble in water, with which it combines to form hypochlorous acid.

One of the most important derivatives of hypochlorous acid is bleaching powder.

Hypochlorous acid first reddens, and then bleaches, litmus-paper.

The hypochlorous acid in the presence of oxidisable matter gives off its oxygen; hydrochloric acid being left.

The loss can be explained by the decomposition of hypochlorous acid, in the presence of light, into hydrochloric acid and oxygen.

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