What is the formula for bleaching powder: CaOCl2 or Ca(OCl)2?

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Basic Chemical InformationAspectFormula/InformationExplanationChemical FormulaCa(OCl)₂Most commonly accepted molecular formula for bleaching powderAlternative FormulaCaOCl₂Alternative way to represent the same compoundEmpirical FormulaCa(OCl)₂Simplest whole number ratio of atomsIUPAC NameCalcium hypochloriteOfficial chemical name as per IUPAC nomenclatureCommon NamesBleaching powder, Chlorinated lime, Calcium oxychlorideVarious names used in industry and educationMolecular Weight142.98 g/molMolar mass calculated from atomic weightsPreparation FormulasMethodChemical EquationExplanationLaboratory MethodCa(OH)₂ + Cl₂ → Ca(OCl)₂ + H₂OSlaked lime reacts with chlorine gasIndustrial MethodCa(OH)₂ + Cl₂ → CaOCl₂ + H₂OLarge-scale production using lime and chlorineBalanced EquationCa(OH)₂ + Cl₂ → Ca(OCl)₂ + H₂OComplete balanced chemical equationDecomposition FormulasType of DecompositionChemical EquationConditionsThermal Decomposition3Ca(OCl)₂ → Ca(ClO₃)₂ + 2CaCl₂Heat appliedAcid DecompositionCa(OCl)₂ + 2HCl → CaCl₂ + Cl₂ + H₂OWith hydrochloric acidCO₂ DecompositionCa(OCl)₂ + CO₂ → CaCO₃ + Cl₂OExposure to carbon dioxideWater DecompositionCa(OCl)₂ + H₂O → Ca(OH)₂ + Cl₂OIn presence of waterBleaching Mechanism FormulasProcessChemical EquationMechanismOxidation ProcessCa(OCl)₂ + H₂O → Ca(OH)₂ + Cl₂OFirst step in bleachingActive Chlorine ReleaseCl₂O + H₂O → 2HClOFormation of hypochlorous acidBleaching ActionOrganic Matter + [O] → Oxidized ProductOxygen from HClO bleaches organic materialsComplete ProcessColored Substance + HClO → Colorless Substance + HClOverall bleaching reactionRelated Compounds and FormulasCompound NameChemical FormulaRelationship to Bleaching PowderCalcium HydroxideCa(OH)₂Starting material (slaked lime)Chlorine GasCl₂Starting material for preparationCalcium ChlorideCaCl₂Byproduct in some reactionsHypochlorous AcidHClOActive bleaching agent formedCalcium ChlorateCa(ClO₃)₂Product of thermal decompositionChlorine MonoxideCl₂OIntermediate compound in bleachingImportant Calculations and FormulasCalculation TypeFormulaApplicationAvailable Chlorine% Available Cl₂ = (35.5/71) × 100 = 50%Quality determination of bleaching powderEquivalent WeightEquivalent Weight = Molecular Weight/2 = 71.49For stoichiometric calculationsConcentration FormulaMolarity = (Weight in g)/(Molecular Weight × Volume in L)For solution preparationBleaching Capacity1 mole Ca(OCl)₂ = 1 mole available Cl₂Theoretical bleaching capacityPhysical and Chemical PropertiesPropertyValue/DescriptionSignificancePhysical StateWhite powderEasy identificationSolubilityPartially soluble in waterForms calcium hypochlorite solutionOdorStrong chlorine smellIndicates active chlorine contentpH of SolutionBasic (pH > 7)Due to Ca(OH)₂ formationStabilityUnstable in air and lightRequires proper storageMelting PointDecomposes before meltingThermal instabilitySafety and Storage InformationAspectDetailsChemical BasisStorage RequirementsCool, dry, dark placePrevents decomposition: Ca(OCl)₂ → productsIncompatible SubstancesAcids, organic materialsForms toxic chlorine gas: Ca(OCl)₂ + acid → Cl₂Safety PrecautionsAvoid contact with skin/eyesHClO formation can cause burnsFirst AidFlush with water immediatelyNeutralizes hypochlorous acidPractice Questions FormatQuestion TypeExampleAnswer FormatFormula WritingWrite the chemical formula of bleaching powderCa(OCl)₂Equation BalancingBalance: Ca(OH)₂ + Cl₂ → ?Ca(OH)₂ + Cl₂ → Ca(OCl)₂ + H₂OName to FormulaGive formula for calcium hypochloriteCa(OCl)₂CalculationCalculate molecular weight40 + 16 + 2(35.5) = 142.98 g/mol

What is the formula for bleaching powder: CaOCl₂ or Ca(OCl)₂?

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Aspect	Formula/Information	Explanation
Chemical Formula	Ca(OCl)₂	Most commonly accepted molecular formula for bleaching powder
Alternative Formula	CaOCl₂	Alternative way to represent the same compound
Empirical Formula	Ca(OCl)₂	Simplest whole number ratio of atoms
IUPAC Name	Calcium hypochlorite	Official chemical name as per IUPAC nomenclature
Common Names	Bleaching powder, Chlorinated lime, Calcium oxychloride	Various names used in industry and education
Molecular Weight	142.98 g/mol	Molar mass calculated from atomic weights

Method	Chemical Equation	Explanation
Laboratory Method	Ca(OH)₂ + Cl₂ → Ca(OCl)₂ + H₂O	Slaked lime reacts with chlorine gas
Industrial Method	Ca(OH)₂ + Cl₂ → CaOCl₂ + H₂O	Large-scale production using lime and chlorine
Balanced Equation	Ca(OH)₂ + Cl₂ → Ca(OCl)₂ + H₂O	Complete balanced chemical equation

Type of Decomposition	Chemical Equation	Conditions
Thermal Decomposition	3Ca(OCl)₂ → Ca(ClO₃)₂ + 2CaCl₂	Heat applied
Acid Decomposition	Ca(OCl)₂ + 2HCl → CaCl₂ + Cl₂ + H₂O	With hydrochloric acid
CO₂ Decomposition	Ca(OCl)₂ + CO₂ → CaCO₃ + Cl₂O	Exposure to carbon dioxide
Water Decomposition	Ca(OCl)₂ + H₂O → Ca(OH)₂ + Cl₂O	In presence of water

Process	Chemical Equation	Mechanism
Oxidation Process	Ca(OCl)₂ + H₂O → Ca(OH)₂ + Cl₂O	First step in bleaching
Active Chlorine Release	Cl₂O + H₂O → 2HClO	Formation of hypochlorous acid
Bleaching Action	Organic Matter + [O] → Oxidized Product	Oxygen from HClO bleaches organic materials
Complete Process	Colored Substance + HClO → Colorless Substance + HCl	Overall bleaching reaction

Compound Name	Chemical Formula	Relationship to Bleaching Powder
Calcium Hydroxide	Ca(OH)₂	Starting material (slaked lime)
Chlorine Gas	Cl₂	Starting material for preparation
Calcium Chloride	CaCl₂	Byproduct in some reactions
Hypochlorous Acid	HClO	Active bleaching agent formed
Calcium Chlorate	Ca(ClO₃)₂	Product of thermal decomposition
Chlorine Monoxide	Cl₂O	Intermediate compound in bleaching

Calculation Type	Formula	Application
Available Chlorine	% Available Cl₂ = (35.5/71) × 100 = 50%	Quality determination of bleaching powder
Equivalent Weight	Equivalent Weight = Molecular Weight/2 = 71.49	For stoichiometric calculations
Concentration Formula	Molarity = (Weight in g)/(Molecular Weight × Volume in L)	For solution preparation
Bleaching Capacity	1 mole Ca(OCl)₂ = 1 mole available Cl₂	Theoretical bleaching capacity

Property	Value/Description	Significance
Physical State	White powder	Easy identification
Solubility	Partially soluble in water	Forms calcium hypochlorite solution
Odor	Strong chlorine smell	Indicates active chlorine content
pH of Solution	Basic (pH > 7)	Due to Ca(OH)₂ formation
Stability	Unstable in air and light	Requires proper storage
Melting Point	Decomposes before melting	Thermal instability

Aspect	Details	Chemical Basis
Storage Requirements	Cool, dry, dark place	Prevents decomposition: Ca(OCl)₂ → products
Incompatible Substances	Acids, organic materials	Forms toxic chlorine gas: Ca(OCl)₂ + acid → Cl₂
Safety Precautions	Avoid contact with skin/eyes	HClO formation can cause burns
First Aid	Flush with water immediately	Neutralizes hypochlorous acid

Question Type	Example	Answer Format
Formula Writing	Write the chemical formula of bleaching powder	Ca(OCl)₂
Equation Balancing	Balance: Ca(OH)₂ + Cl₂ → ?	Ca(OH)₂ + Cl₂ → Ca(OCl)₂ + H₂O
Name to Formula	Give formula for calcium hypochlorite	Ca(OCl)₂
Calculation	Calculate molecular weight	40 + 16 + 2(35.5) = 142.98 g/mol