Final answer:
Sodium hypochlorite is commonly known as liquid bleach, a disinfectant and a bleaching agent used widely for household cleaning and as a water treatment disinfectant. It is produced through the electrolysis of sodium chloride solutions and is preferred in many applications over chlorine gas due to its stability and ease of use.
Step-by-step explanation:
The disinfectant sodium hypochlorite is commonly known as liquid bleach, which is a widely utilized household chemical. This pale greenish-yellow dilute solution has been used since the 18th century primarily as a disinfectant and a bleaching agent. Sodium hypochlorite is notable for being the oldest and most important chlorine-based bleach.
Commercially, it is produced through the electrolysis of cold, dilute, aqueous sodium chloride solutions. During electrolysis, chlorine and hydroxide ions react to form sodium hypochlorite. Beyond its use in household cleaning, sodium hypochlorite serves as an essential disinfectant in water treatment, where it is favored over chlorine gas due to its ease of handling and storage. When added to water, it liberates chlorine which produces the useful antimicrobial effect. The compound in this solution is unstable, easily decomposing to release chlorine.
In various industries, such as food processing and the operation of swimming pools, sodium hypochlorite and related chlorine compounds play a critical role in maintaining sanitary conditions by helping to reduce the spread of foodborne diseases and other infections. For safety, proper handling and usage of these compounds are imperative to protect both the workers and consumers.