Chlorite

chlorite

[′klȯr‚īt]

(inorganic chemistry)

A salt of chlorous acid.

(mineralogy)

Any of a group of greenish, platyhydrous monoclinic silicates of aluminum, ferrous iron, and magnesium which are closely associated with and resemble the micas.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Chlorite

 

a salt of chlorous acid, HClO₂. Chlorites are formed in the reaction of chlorine dioxide and alkaline solutions in the presence of H₂O₂ or reducing agents; for example,

2ClO₂ + 2NaOH + H₂O₂ = 2NaClO₂ + 2H₂O + O₂

In acidic media, chlorites are good oxidizing agents; in the solid state, they explode upon impact or upon heating, as well as in the presence of readily oxidizable impurities.

Of all the chlorites, sodium chlorite has found use. It is obtained as colorless crystals, whose solubility in water is 31.1 percent at 0°C, 50.7 percent at 37.4°C, and 56.3 percent at 70°C. Below 37.4°C, it forms the crystal hydrate NaClO₂ · 3H₂O. Above 100°C, it begins to decompose, forming sodium chlorate and sodium chloride. Upon reaction with chlorine, it forms ClO₂ and NaCl. Sodium chlorite is used in the form of aqueous solutions for the mild bleaching of fabrics (mainly linens) and paper, for water decontamination, and, in small amounts, for the production of ClO₂.

The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.