sodium hypochlorite

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a pale-green, crystalline compound, NaOCl, unstable in air, soluble in cold water, decomposes in hot water: used as a bleaching agent for paper and textiles, in water purification, in household use, and as a fungicide.

sodium hypochlorite

1. An unstable salt that is usually stored in solution and used as a fungicide and an oxidizing bleach. Chemical formula: NaOCl·5H 2 O.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sodium hypochlorite¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Their solution in hydrochloric acid is nearly neutralised; acetate of soda is then added, and an excess of sodium hypochlorite.

From Project Gutenberg

It advised that because of the instability of concentrated solution of sodium hypochlorite, its manufacture had been discontinued.

From Project Gutenberg

Rideal has shown that the addition of ammonia to sodium hypochlorite destroys the bleaching activity in acid solution.

From Project Gutenberg

Sodium hypochlorite is probably hydrolysed in dilute solution in a manner similar to that of bleach.

From Project Gutenberg

These solutions contain mixtures of sodium hypochlorite and sodium chloride together with some free alkali.

From Project Gutenberg