How does Calcium Hypochlorite disinfect water?

Could you please explain that in a couple of sentences? What part of Ca(ClO)2 acts as a disinfectant and how?

1 Answer
Mar 13, 2016

Really it is the Chlorine chemicals that are very effective against bacteria, viruses and fungi that contaminate water. So compound of Chlorine can be used to disinfect water etc. In fact there are about four types of chlorine chemicals that are commonly used in agriculture and for water disinfection: Sodium Hypochlorite, Calcium hypochlorite, Gaseous chlorine and Chlorine dioxide. Calcium Calcium hypochlorite happen to be one of the more stable, and contains a higher "Chlorine" concentration (30-75%). The chemical reaction with water is:

#Ca(OCl)_2 + 2H_2O rightleftharpoons 2HOCl + Ca^(+2) + 2OH^-#