Chlorine Dioxide

What Does Chlorine Dioxide Mean?

Chlorine dioxide is a chemical compound having the chemical formula ClO₂. It occurs as a yellow greenish crystal and appears as a bright orange color when seen at -59°C (-74°F). Chlorine dioxide is one of the oxides of chlorine, and is used as an oxidizing agent in the water treatment and bleaching processes.

Corrosionpedia Explains Chlorine Dioxide

Chlorine dioxide is a neutral compound that was discovered in 1814 by Sir Humphrey Davy. In his experiments, a gas was produced by dropping H₂SO₃ (sulfuric acid) on KClO₃ (potassium chlorate). Later the sulfuric acid was replaced with HOCl (hypochlorous acid) to produce chlorine dioxide. The industries that produce chlorine dioxide in large quantities make use of such a reaction.

Alternatively, NaClO₃ (sodium chlorate) can be used instead of potassium chlorate to form chlorine dioxide per the chemical formula:

2NaClO₃ + 4HCl + 2ClO₂ + Cl₂ + 2NaCl + 2H2O

Chlorine dioxide is widely used in:

• Bleaching wood pulp and flour
• Water treatment, cleaning and chlorination (e.g., as a drinking water disinfectant)
• Disinfectant manufacturing for products such as sanitizers

Chlorine dioxide is non-corrosive. It is a myth that chlorine dioxide corrodes stainless steel.