Bleaching powder is soluble in water and is used as a bleaching agent in textile industries. It is also used as an oxidizing agent and a disinfectant in many industries. It should also be noted that bleaching powder is synthesized by the reacting chlorine gas on dry slaked lime i.e. Ca(OH)2.
Chemical formula – Ca(OCl)Cl or CaOCl2
Preparation – Ca(OH)2(aq)+Cl2(g)→CaOCl2(aq)+H2O(l)
On interaction with water – bleaching powder releases chlorine which is responsible for bleaching action.
Uses of Bleaching Powder
- It is used for bleaching dirty clothes in the laundry, as a bleaching agent for cotton and linen in the textile industry.
- It is a strong oxidizing agent, hence used as an oxidizer in many industries.
- It is used as a disinfectant which is used for disinfecting water to make potable water.