Potassium Hypochlorite Formula – Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions

Potassium Hypochlorite consists of the elements Potassium, Chlorine, and Oxygen. Potassium is a silvery-white soft metal present in group 1 of the periodic table. Its atomic number is 19 and is represented by the symbol K. Chlorine is a toxic and corrosive gas present in group 17 of the periodic table. It is the second lightest element in that group. Its atomic number is 17 and is represented by the symbol Cl. Oxygen is a highly reactive nonmetal present in group-16 of the periodic table. Its atomic number is 8 and is represented by the symbol O.

What is Potassium Hypochlorite?

Potassium Hypochlorite is a colorless solution with a pungent odor. Its chemical formula is KClO. The Potassium Hypochlorite compound is prepared by the reaction between Potassium Hydroxide and Chlorine. The other way to produce Potassium Hypochlorite is by electrolysis of potassium chloride solution. In both methods, the reaction mixture must be kept cold to prevent the formation of Potassium Chlorate. 

Preparation of Potassium Hypochlorite

• Potassium Hypochlorite is prepared by the reaction between potassium hydroxide solution with chlorine gas. The chemical reaction is mentioned below-

2KOH + Cl₂ ⇢ KClO + KCl + H₂O

• Potassium Hypochlorite (KClO) is also prepared by electrolysis of Potassium chloride solution.
• It can also be prepared by the reaction between Potassium sulfate and Calcium hypochlorite. The chemical reaction is given below-

K₂SO₄ + Ca(OCl)₂ ⇢ 2KOCl + CaSO₄

Structure of Potassium Hypochlorite

Potassium Hypochlorite Structure

Physical Properties of Potassium Hypochlorite

• The appearance of Potassium Hypochlorite is the colorless solution.
• The odor of Potassium Hypochlorite is Pungent.
• The molecular weight of Potassium Hypochlorite is 90.55 g/mol.
• Boiling point of Potassium Hypochlorite is 102 °C.
• Melting point of Potassium Hypochlorite is -2 °C.
• Density of Potassium Hypochlorite is 1.160 g/cm³.

Chemical Properties of Potassium Hypochlorite

• Potassium Hypochlorite is slightly soluble in water.
• Potassium Hypochlorite rapidly disproportionates into potassium chlorate and potassium chloride. The chemical reaction is given below-

3KClO ⇢ KClO₃ + 2KCl

Uses of Potassium Hypochlorite

• Potassium Hypochlorite is used as the bleaching agent.
• It is used to sanitize the surface.
• Potassium Hypochlorite is used in agricultural fields.
• It is used for disinfecting water.
• Potassium Hypochlorite is used as an industrial oxidizer.

Sample Questions

Question 1: What are the precautions to be taken while handling Potassium Hypochlorite?

Answer:

Potassium Hypochlorite is powerful oxidizer and corrosive compound. So addition of acid to this compound emit large volume of chlorine gas. It is an unstable compound. So can’t be stored for a long time.

Question 2: Find the molecular weight of Potassium Hypochlorite?

Answer:

Molecular formula of Potassium Hypochlorite is KClO

Atomic weight of Potassium = 39.0983

Atomic weight of Chlorine = 35.453 

Atomic weight of Oxygen = 15.999 

Molar mass of KClO = 39.0983 + 35.453 + 15.999 

=90.55

Question 3: Who discovered Potassium Hypochlorite?

Answer:

Potassium hypochlorite was first produced by Claude Louis Berthollet in 1789. He prepared the Potassium hypochlorite by passing chlorine gas through a solution of potash lye.

Question 4: What are the uses of Potassium hypochlorite?

Answer:

Potassium hypochlorite is used in sanitizing the surface, disinfecting water. It is used as an bleaching agent, industrial oxidizer. Potassium hypochlorite is used in the field of agriculture.

Question 5: How Potassium hypochlorite is prepared?

Answer:

Potassium Hypochlorite is prepared by the reaction between potassium hydroxide solution with chlorine gas. 

2KOH + Cl₂ ⇢ KClO + KCl + H₂O

It can also be prepared by electrolysis of Potassium chloride solution.

Question 6: Explain the disproportionation reaction method.

Answer:

The disproportionation of Potassium hypochlorite is useful if we need potassium chlorate in small amounts. Potassium Hypochlorite rapidly disproportionate into potassium chlorate and potassium chloride. 

3KClO ⇢ KClO₃ + 2KCl