Chlorite facts for kids
A chlorite is a special kind of ion. Think of an ion as a tiny particle with an electric charge. The chemical formula for chlorite is ClO2–. This means it has one chlorine atom and two oxygen atoms, and it carries a negative charge.
Chlorite is known as an oxidizing agent. This means it can take electrons from other substances, causing them to change. It contains chlorine in a specific form, called its +3 oxidation state.
You can also think of chlorites as salts of chlorous acid. Just like table salt (sodium chloride) is a salt of hydrochloric acid, chlorites are formed when chlorous acid reacts with a base.
Some chlorites are very reactive and need to be handled with great care.
How Chlorite is Made
Chlorite can be made in a couple of ways:
- One way is by dissolving chlorine dioxide in a base. A base is a chemical substance that can neutralize acids.
- Another way is by a process called reduction. This involves taking chlorate and reacting it with hydrogen peroxide. Reduction is when a substance gains electrons.
The most common type of chlorite you might hear about is Sodium chlorite.
Related Topics
- Hypochlorite: Another type of chlorine-containing ion, often found in bleach.
- Perchlorate: Yet another chlorine-containing ion, with even more oxygen atoms.
