hypochlorous acid
/ˌhʌɪpə(ʊ)ˈklɔːrəs
/noun [mass noun] Chemistry
A weak acid with oxidizing properties formed when chlorine dissolves in cold water and used in bleaching and water treatment.
- Chemical formula: HOCl.
- In mammalian neutrophils, myeloperoxidase is a key player, converting hydrogen peroxide to hypochlorous acid.
- This effect would be exacerbated if hypochlorous acid inactivates proteinase inhibitor by oxidizing its critical methionine residue.
Derivatives
hypochlorite
/ noun ...- The hypochlorite ion is an oxidizing agent that sterilizes water by ridding it of microorganisms.
- Common household cleaners can contain simple inorganic chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite or hydrochloric acid.
- Chloroform can be made from ethanol by reacting the ethanol with calcium hypochlorite.
Origin
Mid 19th century: hypochlorous from hypo- (denoting an element in a low valency) + chlorine + -ous.