HYPOCHLORATE Meaning and
Definition
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Hypochlorate refers to any ionic compound containing the hypochlorite anion (ClO−). It is the conjugate base of hypochlorous acid (HClO), which is a weak acid formed when chlorine is dissolved in water. Hypochlorate compounds are commonly encountered in industrial and household applications, particularly in water treatment, disinfection, and bleaching processes.
The most well-known hypochlorate compound is sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), commonly known as bleach or household bleach. It is a powerful oxidizing agent and is extensively used as a disinfectant, sanitizer, and household cleaner. Sodium hypochlorite is also essential in the treatment of drinking water, swimming pools, and wastewater as it effectively kills bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms.
In addition to sodium hypochlorite, other hypochlorate compounds include calcium hypochlorite (Ca(ClO)2) and potassium hypochlorite (KClO). These compounds exhibit similar chemical properties and are used in various practical applications like pool shock treatments, laundry detergents, and antibacterial solutions.
Typically, hypochlorate compounds generate chlorine gas and hypochlorous acid when they react with acids or are subjected to acidic conditions. This is due to the tendency of the hypochlorite anion to accept protons and form hypochlorous acid. The antimicrobial properties of hypochlorous acid are responsible for the disinfecting and sanitizing capabilities of hypochlorate compounds.
Common Misspellings for HYPOCHLORATE
- gypochlorate
- bypochlorate
- nypochlorate
- jypochlorate
- uypochlorate
- yypochlorate
- htpochlorate
- hgpochlorate
- hhpochlorate
- hupochlorate
- h7pochlorate
- h6pochlorate
- hyoochlorate
- hylochlorate
- hy0ochlorate
- hypichlorate
- hypkchlorate
- hyplchlorate
- hyppchlorate
- hyp0chlorate
Etymology of HYPOCHLORATE
The word "hypochlorate" is derived from the combination of two elements: "hypo-" and "chlorate".
The prefix "hypo-" is derived from the Greek word "hupó", which means "under" or "less than". In scientific terminology, this prefix is used to indicate a lower oxidation state or a lower concentration of a chemical substance.
The term "chlorate" refers to a type of chlorine compound. It comes from the Latin word "chlōrātus", meaning "yellowish-green". Chlorate compounds contain chlorine in the +5 oxidation state, and they are typically highly oxidizing.
When these two elements are combined, "hypo-" (indicating a lower oxidation state) with "chlorate" (a compound containing chlorine in the +5 oxidation state), they form the word "hypochlorate".
