Question

Name the raw materials used in the manufacture of bleaching powder. Mention two major uses of bleaching powder.

Answer 1

1. Bleaching Powder: Calcium hypochlorite ($\mathrm{Ca}{\left(\mathrm{OCl}\right)}_2$) is commercially known as bleaching powder.
2. Raw materials: Slaked lime or Calcium hydroxide ($\mathrm{Ca}{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_2$) and chlorine gas (${\mathrm{Cl}}_2$) are the raw materials that are required to produce bleaching powder.
3. Chemical equation of synthesis:

$$\begin{gathered} 2\mathrm{Ca}{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_2\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+2{\mathrm{Cl}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\to \mathrm{Ca}{\left(\mathrm{OCl}\right)}_2\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+{\mathrm{CaCl}}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right) \\ \mathrm{Slaked}\mathrm{lime}\mathrm{Chlorine}\mathrm{Bleaching}\mathrm{Calcium}\mathrm{Water} \\ \mathrm{powder}\mathrm{chloride} \end{gathered}$$

4. Uses:

• It is used to disinfect drinking water.
• It is used to bleach washed clothes in the laundry,