POTASSIUM HYPOCHLORITE

General Description

Also known as eau de Javelle, KOCI is colorless aqueous solution with a pungent irritating chlorine odor. It is formed by passing chlorine through a solution of potassium hydroxide. The aqueous solution is strongly oxidizing,and is used as a bleach.

Air & Water Reactions

Soluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

POTASSIUM HYPOCHLORITE is a powerful oxidizing agent. May form highly explosive NCl3 on contact with urea. Heating or contact with acids produces highly toxic fumes of chlorine gas [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 1905]. May react vigorously with carbon; reacts potentially explosively with finely divided carbon. Reacts with acetylene to form explosive chloroacetylenes. Reactions with organic matter, oil, hydrocarbons; alcohols may lead to explosions. Reactions with nitromethane, methanol, ethanol (and other alcohols) can become violent after a delay. Reacts with possible ignition and/or explosion with organic sulfur compounds and with sulfides. Decomposes evolving oxygen, a change that can be catalyzed by rust on metal containers. Forms highly explosive NCl3 on contact with urea or ammonia. Evolves highly toxic gaseous chlorine gas when heated or on contact with acids [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 1905]. A mixture with damp sulfur reacted violently, and molten sulfur was ejected [Chem Eng. News, 1965, 46(29), 6]. The combination of calcium hypochlorite, sodium hydrogen sulfate, starch, and sodium carbonate, when compressed, caused the materials to incandescence, followed by explosion, [Ind. Eng. Chem., 1937, 15, 282].

Safety Profile

A poison by all routes. Powerful irritant and corrosive to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Questionable carcinogen. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of K2O and Cl-. See also HYPOCHLORITES.