The sodium chlorite is an inorganic solid formed by a sodium ion Na+ and a chlorite ion ClOtwo-. Its chemical formula is NaClOtwo. It is a white crystalline solid, as well as being a strong oxidizing agent. Therefore, it must be handled with great care..
Its main use is as a disinfecting agent for many applications. Eliminates microbes on surfaces such as floors, walls and laboratory equipment in hospitals and clinics and in their water systems.
Also in agricultural and veterinary facilities, to sanitize incubators for poultry eggs, to control infections of the udders of dairy cows, to disinfect water systems for animals, etc..
In the food industry, its acidified aqueous solutions are used to wash meats, chickens, fruits, vegetables, as well as the equipment of such facilities..
Chlorine dioxide can be prepared with sodium chlorite.two in the place of use, which allows to eliminate microbes, bad odors and flavors from the water so that it is pleasant and can be drunk without problems.
It is also used to whiten paper pulp, vegetable textile fibers and oils, among other applications..
NaClOtwo Solid should be handled with caution, as in contact with certain materials explosions can occur. Their solutions are a bit easier to handle but are very oxidizing and corrosive..
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Sodium chlorite is made up of a sodium cation Na+ and a chlorite anion ClOtwo- therefore they are joined by an ionic bond.
The chlorite anion has one chlorine atom in an oxidation state of +3 and two oxygen atoms with valence -2 each. For this reason, the chlorite anion has a negative charge..
It also has an angle-shaped structure.
- Sodium chlorite
- Sodium chlorite
- Chlorous acid sodium salt
Solid white crystalline.
90.44 g / mol.
It decomposes as it melts between 180 and 200 ºC.
2.468 g / cm3
Soluble in water: 64 g / 100 g of water at 17 ºC. Slightly soluble in methanol.
It is slightly hygroscopic.
It is a strong oxidizing agent. Reacts violently with combustible and reducing materials. Reacts violently with acids, generating chlorine dioxide ClOtwo.
Its alkaline solutions (means in the presence of for example NaOH) are quite stable, while in an acid medium chlorous acid HClO is formedtwo, which breaks down quickly:
4 HClOtwo → 2 ClOtwo↑ + ClO3- + Cl- + 2 h+ + HtwoOR
Both NaClOtwo Solid as its aqueous solutions are potentially dangerous and require a great deal of caution and experience during handling and storage..
NaClOtwo solid can explode on contact with organic substances including gloves and clothing, spill control materials such as sawdust and waste cotton, as well as oils and greases.
The solid form is therefore very difficult to transport and it is preferred to use it in the form of aqueous solutions..
These solutions are extremely corrosive. They should preferably be kept at a pH above 8, that is, an alkaline pH.
NaClOtwo accelerates the combustion of flammable compounds or materials, to the point that it can form explosive mixtures with them.
If heated it emits toxic fumes of hydrochloric acid HCl and sodium oxide NatwoO. Prolonged exposure to heat or fire may explode.
It is prepared starting with the chemical or electrochemical reduction of sodium chlorate NaClO3, in the presence of hydrochloric acid HCl to produce chlorine dioxide ClOtwo.
The latter is reacted with hydrogen peroxide HtwoORtwo in aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide NaOH and a solution of sodium chlorite NaClO is obtainedtwo, which evaporates and the solid crystallizes.
It can also be obtained by passing chlorine dioxide gas ClOtwo by a NaOH solution.
2 ClOtwo + 2 NaOH → NaClOtwo + NaClO3 + HtwoOR
It is an ingredient in numerous products that are used to control bacteria, fungi, and algae sludge. The products that contain it for this purpose are used in agriculture, commerce, industry and residences or homes..
Serves as a disinfectant for many types of materials and surfaces.
In agriculture, poultry and similar industries, hard surfaces, equipment, facilities for the incubation of bird eggs, greenhouses for fungi such as mushrooms, and cooling water and water systems for poultry houses are disinfected..
It has veterinary use as a topical disinfectant in the control of dairy cattle mastitis, to submerge the animal's nipples. Mastitis is an infection of the udders of cows.
It is also used in natural research establishments to decontaminate laboratories.
Commercial, industrial, and medical uses include disinfecting ventilation systems, hard surfaces (such as floors, walls, laboratory equipment), and water systems..
In health care facilities such as clinics and hospitals it is used to decontaminate rooms, corridors, isolation areas and for the sterilization of materials.
It is also useful for sanitizing in establishments where people undergo health treatments with water or spa.
In the food industry it is used as a fumigant to preserve food.
It is used in the form of acidified sodium chlorite. This is produced by adding food-grade acid (for example, citric acid, phosphoric acid, malic acid, or sodium acid sulfate) to an aqueous solution of sodium chlorite..
Acidified sodium chlorite has antimicrobial properties and is used as a spray or wash or soak solution for chicken, meats, vegetables, fruits, and seafood. Also in water to freeze chicken or poultry.
In homes, it allows disinfecting hard surfaces, such as floors and bathrooms, heating or air conditioning systems, and swimming pool water circulation systems..
It is also sold in small sachets along with other compounds to release gas and control odors in homes..
It is used in the purification of drinking water, it acts as an oxidant, improving the taste and smell of drinking water.
Sodium chlorite is widely used as a precursor for the generation of chlorine dioxide ClOtwo used to treat drinking water for human consumption, that is, to eliminate microorganisms, odors and unpleasant tastes and can be drunk.
To generate the ClOtwo HCl can be used:
5 NaClOtwo + 4 HCl → 4 ClOtwo↑ + 5 NaCl + 2 HtwoOR
The ClOtwo it is an antimicrobial agent with a high oxidizing action and a broad spectrum. That is, it acts against a large number of microorganisms.
Microorganisms are inactivated because ClOtwo it interferes with important enzymes of these and with the proteins of the cellular membranes. It also has the advantage that it does not produce organochlorine compounds, which are toxic..
There are sodium chlorite tablets for sale mixed with other compounds which dissolve in water and immediately produce ClOtwo in a controlled way, thus disinfecting the water.
The main problem of treating water to remove flavors and odors with ClOtwo is that toxic salts of chlorite and chlorate can be formed during treatment.
NaClOtwo it is a component of the solutions that serve to disinfect contact lenses.
A combination of NaClO is usedtwo and traces (very small amounts) of hydrogen peroxide HtwoORtwo.
The HtwoORtwo stabilizes ClOtwo that is formed and the combination of both is very effective against bacteria, fungi and yeasts. The resulting products are sodium chloride NaCl, water and oxygen, which are harmless, which means that they are not harmful to the eye.
When the lenses are removed from the solution, the NaClOtwo Residual decomposes rapidly to NaCl and Otwo. Residual peroxide does not irritate the eye. Therefore these solutions are very safe.
Sodium chlorite is used for the preparation of chlorine dioxide ClOtwo for immediate use in a large number of applications, some of which were discussed in previous paragraphs.
It is used to whiten wood pulp, textiles such as cotton, vegetable fibers, edible and inedible oils, fats, varnishes, lacquers and waxes.
It is a component of eye drops and some mouthwash solutions..
It is used in the leather processing industry and in agents for electroplating of metals (metal coating).
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