Hypochlorous acid

Hypochlorous acid
hypochlorous acid bonding
hypochlorous acid space filling
  Hydrogen, H
  Oxygen, O
  Chlorine, Cl
Names
IUPAC name
Hypochlorous acid
Other names
  • Chloranol
  • Chloric(I) acid
  • Chlorine hydroxide
  • Chlorooxidane
  • Hydrogen hypochlorite
  • Hypochloric acid
  • Hydroxidochlorine
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.029.302 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 232-232-5
UNII
  • InChI=1S/ClHO/c1-2/h2H checkY
    Key: QWPPOHNGKGFGJK-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/ClHO/c1-2/h2H
    Key: QWPPOHNGKGFGJK-UHFFFAOYAT
  • OCl
Properties
HOCl
Molar mass 52.46 g·mol−1
Appearance Colorless aqueous solution
Density Variable
Soluble
Acidity (pKa) 7.53[1]
Conjugate base Hypochlorite
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
 corrosive, oxidizing agent
GHS labelling:
H320, H335
P301+P330+P331, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 3: Short exposure could cause serious temporary or residual injury. E.g. chlorine gasFlammability 0: Will not burn. E.g. waterInstability 4: Readily capable of detonation or explosive decomposition at normal temperatures and pressures. E.g. nitroglycerinSpecial hazard OX: Oxidizer. E.g. potassium perchlorate
3
0
4
OX
Safety data sheet (SDS) chemfresh.com
Related compounds
Other anions
Related compounds
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Hypochlorous acid is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula ClOH, also written as HClO, HOCl, or ClHO.[2][3] Its structure is H−O−Cl. It is an acid that forms when chlorine dissolves in water, and itself partially dissociates, forming a hypochlorite anion, ClO−. HClO and ClO− are oxidizers, and the primary disinfection agents of chlorine solutions.[4] HClO cannot be isolated from these solutions due to rapid equilibration with its precursor, chlorine.

Because of its strong antimicrobial properties, the related compounds sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and calcium hypochlorite (Ca(OCl)2) are ingredients in many commercial bleaches, deodorants, and disinfectants.[5] The white blood cells of mammals, such as humans, also contain hypochlorous acid as a tool against foreign bodies.[6] In living organisms, HOCl is generated by the reaction of hydrogen peroxide with chloride ions under the catalysis of the heme enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO).[7]

Like many other disinfectants, hypochlorous acid solutions will destroy pathogens, such as COVID-19, absorbed on surfaces.[8] In low concentrations, such solutions can serve to disinfect open wounds.[9]

  1. ^ Harris, Daniel C. (2009). Exploring Chemical Analysis (Fourth ed.). p. 538.
  2. ^ "Hypochlorous acid". CAS Common Chemistry. CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society, n.d. CAS RN: 7790-92-3. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  3. ^ "hypochlorous acid". Chemical Entities of Biological Interest. European Bioinformatics Institute. CHEBI:24757. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  4. ^ Sansebastiano, G. et al. Page 262 in Food Safety: A Practical and Case Study Approach (Ed: R. J. Marshall) 2006, Springer Science & Business Media, Berlin.
  5. ^ Block, Michael S.; Rowan, Brian G. (September 2020). "Hypochlorous Acid: A Review". Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 78 (9): 1461–1466. doi:10.1016/j.joms.2020.06.029. ISSN 0278-2391. PMC 7315945. PMID 32653307.
  6. ^ "Treating Chronic Wounds With Hypochlorous Acid Disrupts Biofilm". Today's Wound Clinic. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
  7. ^ Ghoshal K, et al. (July 2016). "A novel sensor to estimate the prevalence of hypochlorous (HOCl) toxicity in individuals with type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia". Clinica Chimica Acta. 458: 144–153. doi:10.1016/j.cca.2016.05.006. PMID 27178483.
  8. ^ US EPA, OCSPP (2020-03-13). "List N: Disinfectants for Coronavirus (COVID-19)". US EPA. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
  9. ^ "Pure Hypochlorous Acid: A Primer on pH and Wound Solutions". WoundSource. 2020-11-05. Retrieved 2021-02-08..