Calcium Hypochlorite Data

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Calcium hypochlorite -
Ca(ClO)2
What is Calcium Hypochlorite?

Calcium hypochlorite is a chemical
compound that has the formula Ca(ClO)2.
It is commonly referred to as bleaching powder or calcium

oxychloride. It is an ionic compound that is made up of a
calcium cation (Ca2+) and two hypochlorite anions (ClO–).
Despite being quite stable at room temperatures, calcium
hypochlorite slowly decomposes in moist environments,
giving it a characteristic ‘chlorine’ smell.
Table of Contents
• Calcium Hypochlorite Preparation
• Calcium Hypochlorite Structure
• Calcium Hypochlorite Properties
• Uses of Calcium Hypochlorite
• Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Calcium Hypochlorite Preparation

It is commercially available in its anhydrous and hydrated
forms and is one of the key ingredients of chlorine powder
and bleaching powder. Ca(ClO)2 is produced on an
industrial scale via the reaction of chlorine gas with
calcium hydroxide.
The chemical equation for this reaction is provided below.
2Ca(OH)2 + 2Cl2 → Ca(ClO)2 + H2O + CaCl2
Generally, bleaching powder is a mixture of calcium

hypochlorite, its dibasic form (Ca(ClO2).2Ca(OH)2), and the
dibasic form of calcium chloride (https://byjus.com
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/chemistry/cacl2/) (CaCl2.2Ca(OH)2). Since it contains two

ClO– ions, this compound has a high chlorine availability
when compared to sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl).
Calcium Hypochlorite Structure
The structure of a Ca(ClO)2 molecule is illustrated below. It
consists of one Ca+ ion and two ClO– ions.
Structure of a Calcium Hypochlorite Molecule
Each chlorite ion has a charge of -1 whereas the calcium

ion has a charge of +2. Therefore, one calcium cation can
form ionic bonds with two hypochlorite ions.
Calcium Hypochlorite Properties
1. Chemical Data
Calcium Hypochlorite Ca(ClO)2
Molar Mass/ Molecular

142.98 grams per mole
Weight
2.35 grams per cubic

Density at 20oC
centimetre
Melting Point 373K (100oC)
Decomposes at 448K
Boiling Point
(175oC)
2. Physical Properties
• Calcium hypochlorite is a white/grey solid at room
temperatures.
• Its solubility in water is 21g/100 mL and it reacts
with the water when dissolved.
• Its solubility in hard water (https://byjus.com
/jee/hardness-of-water-types-and-removal/) is
relatively low when compared to its solubility in
soft/medium-hard water.
• Ca(ClO)2 has a strong smell of chlorine (because it
reacts with the water molecules present in air).
2 of 7 12/19/22, 19:22
3. Chemical Properties
• It acts as a strong base since it readily accepts H+
When dissolved in water, the hypochlorite anion
accepts a proton from H2O, liberating an OH– ion.
• The chemical reaction is given by ClO– + H2O →
HClO + OH–
• This compound is also a powerful oxidizing agent
since it can readily accept an electron.
• Calcium hypochlorite reacts with hydrochloric acid,
yielding calcium chloride (CaCl2), water, and chlorine
gas (Cl2).
• The chemical equation (https://byjus.com/chemistry
/chemical-equation/) for this reaction is 4HCl +
Ca(ClO)2 → CaCl2 + Cl2 + H2O
What are the Uses of Calcium

Hypochlorite?
The compound Ca(ClO)2 is often used to disinfect large
volumes of water in order to make it safe to drink. It is
also widely used in swimming pools to sanitize the water
body and destroy the germs present in it. Some other uses
of calcium hypochlorite are listed below.
• Since it is a good oxidizing agent, this compound is

quite useful in the ﬁeld of organic chemistry.
• It is used to obtain fragmented aldehydes/carboxylic
acids by cleaving the bonds in glycols and keto
acids.
• Ca(ClO)2 can also be used in the halo form reaction
to yield chloroform.
• The compound can be used to disinfect both
wastewater and drinking water since it has a high
chlorine availability.
To learn more about calcium hypochlorite and other

important calcium compounds, such as calcium hydroxide
(https://byjus.com/chemistry/calcium-hydroxide/), register
with BYJU’S and download the mobile application on your
smartphone.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Is calcium hypochlorite dangerous?
The corrosive nature of the hypochlorite moiety makes
calcium hypochlorite a dangerous substance that must be
stored carefully. It must be stored in a cold, dry
3 of 7 12/19/22, 19:22
environment and must not be exposed to any metals or

acids. If any acid comes in contact with calcium
hypochlorite, highly toxic fumes of chlorine gas can be
produced.
What is the common name of calcium

hypochlorite?
Calcium hypochlorite is commonly known as bleaching
powder. It is also known as calcium oxychloride, the
chloride of lime, or the calcium salt of hypochlorous acid.
Is calcium hypochlorite soluble in

water?
Yes, calcium hypochlorite is fairly soluble in water. Since it
is an ionic compound, Ca(ClO)2 readily dissolves in water
and dissociates into its constituent ions. At a temperature
of 25oC, the solubility of this compound in water is roughly
equal to 210 grams per litre. It is important to note that
this compound is not soluble in alcohol since it
participates in a chemical reaction with the solvent in such
cases.
What is calcium hypochlorite used for?

Calcium hypochlorite is known to be the active ingredient
in many commercial bleaching agents such as bleaching
powder, chlorinated lime, and chlorine powder. The most
important application of calcium hypochlorite is in the
sanitization of public swimming pools. It is also used to
disinfect drinking water. As an oxidizing agent, calcium
hypochlorite is also used in several organic reactions.
How is calcium hypochlorite produced

industrially?
On an industrial scale, calcium hypochlorite is usually
produced from the chemical reaction between gaseous
chlorine and calcium hydroxide (usually used in the form
of the mineral lime). The chemical reaction between
calcium hydroxide and chlorine gas yields calcium
hypochlorite, calcium chloride, and water as the products.
4 of 7 12/19/22, 19:22

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What is Calcium Hypochlorite?

It is commonly referred to as bleaching powder or calcium

Calcium Hypochlorite Preparation

The chemical equation for this reaction is provided below.

2Ca(OH)2 + 2Cl2 → Ca(ClO)2 + H2O + CaCl2

Generally, bleaching powder is a mixture of calcium

/chemistry/cacl2/) (CaCl2.2Ca(OH)2). Since it contains two

Structure of a Calcium Hypochlorite Molecule

Each chlorite ion has a charge of -1 whereas the calcium

Molar Mass/ Molecular

2.35 grams per cubic

Melting Point 373K (100oC)

What are the Uses of Calcium

• Since it is a good oxidizing agent, this compound is

To learn more about calcium hypochlorite and other

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

environment and must not be exposed to any metals or

What is the common name of calcium

Is calcium hypochlorite soluble in

What is calcium hypochlorite used for?

How is calcium hypochlorite produced

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