What is the chemical formula of sodium hypochlorite?

Sodium hypochlorite is an important inorganic compound with the chemical formula NaClO. It is widely used as a bleaching agent, disinfectant, and sanitizer. Sodium hypochlorite is the main active ingredient in household bleach and is commonly applied in water treatment, cleaning, and textile industries.

The compound consists of a sodium (Na⁺) ion and a hypochlorite (ClO⁻) ion. The hypochlorite ion contains chlorine in the +1 oxidation state bonded to oxygen. This structure makes sodium hypochlorite an effective oxidizing agent, capable of breaking down colored organic compounds and killing bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Sodium hypochlorite should not be confused with other chlorine-containing compounds. NaClO₂ is sodium chlorite, used in bleaching pulp but not in household bleach. NaClO₃ is sodium chlorate, used in herbicides and explosives. NaClO₄ is sodium perchlorate, mainly used in rocket propellants and chemical synthesis. Only NaClO is sodium hypochlorite.

In aqueous solution, sodium hypochlorite releases nascent chlorine (Cl₂) slowly, which is responsible for its bleaching and disinfecting action. It reacts with colored compounds in textiles to remove stains and whitens cotton, linen, and paper pulp.

Understanding the chemical formula of sodium hypochlorite helps students connect the compound’s composition with its industrial and domestic applications. It demonstrates how small differences in chemical formulas lead to very different properties and uses, which is a key concept in inorganic chemistry.