Why does the effective chlorine content of sodium hypochlorite decrease under acidic conditions?
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Why does the effective chlorine content of sodium hypochlorite decrease under acidic conditions? ? ?
A chemical reaction occurred, resulting in the formation of a strong acid salt
In acidic conditions, hypochlorite ions in sodium hypochlorite solution form hypochlorous acid, which is an unstable weak acid that decomposes into oxygen and hydrogen chloride. So the effective chlorine will decrease.
Sodium hypochlorite is most stable under alkaline conditions, but its activity is lowest. To increase the activity of hyposodium, acid must be added to it, as its activity is highest when the pH is around 7–9. However, if too much acid is added, some hyposodium is decomposed under acidic conditions, and redox reactions produce chlorates or oxygen, resulting in a decrease in activity.