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Silver hypochlorite is a chemical compound with the chemical formula AgOCl (also written as AgClO). It is an ionic compound of silver and the polyatomic ion hypochlorite.[1][2] The compound is very unstable and rapidly decomposes.[3] It is the silver(I) salt of hypochlorous acid. The salt consists of silver(I) cations (Ag+) and hypochlorite cations (OCl).

Synthesis

2 Cl2 + Ag2O + H2O → 2 AgCl + 2 HOCl
2 HOCl + Ag2O → H2O + 2 AgOCl
HOCl + AgNO3 → AgOCl + HNO3

Chemical properties

Silver hypochlorite is very unstable, and its solution will soon disproportionate into silver chlorate and silver chloride:

3 AgOCl → AgClO3 + 2 AgCl

If the AgOCl solution is heated to 60 °C, it will rapidly disproportionate. Adding silver oxide stabilizes the solution.[3][dubiousdiscuss]

References

  1. ^ Comey, Arthur Messinger (1896). A Dictionary of Chemical Solubilities; Inorganic. Macmillan and Company. p. 180. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  2. ^ "silver hypochlorite". chemsrc.com. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  3. ^ a b Massey, A. G.; Thompson, N. R.; Johnson, B. F. G. (6 June 2016). The Chemistry of Copper, Silver and Gold: Pergamon International Library of Science, Technology, Engineering and Social Studies. Elsevier. p. 108. ISBN 978-1-4831-8169-1. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  4. ^ Stas, J. A. (1867). "On the Action of Chlorine on Carbonate of Silver". The Chemical News and Journal of Physical Science: A Journal of Practical Chemistry in All Its Applications to Pharmacy, Arts, and Manufacturers. American Reprint: 173. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  5. ^ "Silver Hypochlorite: Formula, Solubility & Molar Mass". study.com. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
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