Question

What is the common name and chemical name of the compound $CaOC{{l}_{2}}$?

Answer 1

Hint: An attempt to this question can be made by determining the use of the above-mentioned compound on a commercial basis. It is mainly used in bleaching and disinfecting. With this you can determine its common name. Draw the expanded structure of the compound. With this you can determine the IUPAC/ chemical name for the compound as well.

Complete Solution :
- Calcium hypochlorite is an inorganic compound bearing the formula $CaOC{{l}_{2}}$.
- It is one of the main ingredients of commercially produced bleaching powder, chlorine powder or chlorinated lime. They are used for water treatment as well as a bleaching agent.
- It is white in appearance usually. However, at times it is observed that the compound turns yellow on long standing. The compound slowly decomposes in air to produce chlorine. It is less soluble in hard water and relatively more soluble in soft water.
- It comes in two forms, namely dry and hydrated.
From the above statements we can conclude that the common name and chemical name for the compound $CaOC{{l}_{2}}$ is bleaching powder and calcium hypochlorite respectively.

Additional Information:
- Calcium hypochlorite is used to sanitise public swimming pools and disinfect drinking water on a commercial scale.
- In organic chemistry, calcium hypochlorite is used as an oxidising property as the compound can easily release oxygen atoms.

Note: It is important to know that $CaOC{{l}_{2}}$ is highly basic. It is also a strong oxidising agent. This is the reason why it is always stored in dry and cold conditions away from other organic compounds and acids. It is observed that the hydrated form of $CaOC{{l}_{2}}$ is safer to handle than the anhydrous form.