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
- Bubbling chlorine through an aqueous suspension of silver oxide.[4]
- 2 Cl2 + Ag2O + H2O → 2 AgCl + 2 HOCl
- 2 HOCl + Ag2O → H2O + 2 AgOCl
- Reaction of hypochlorous acid with silver nitrate produces silver hypochlorite and nitric acid.[5]
- 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][dubious – discuss]
References
- ^ Comey, Arthur Messinger (1896). A Dictionary of Chemical Solubilities; Inorganic. Macmillan and Company. p. 180. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ "silver hypochlorite". chemsrc.com. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Silver Hypochlorite: Formula, Solubility & Molar Mass". study.com. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
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