[NotSureIfSRS]

I'm writing a report for my scholarship chemistry and am stuck on "relevant background info" on why the hypochlorite ion concetraion in bleach decreases when exposed to atmosphere (air) over a period of time (with sufficient equations). All I've gathered so far through research is that:

Sodium Hypochlorite  ---> Chlorate

**3NaOCL --> 2NaCl + NaCLO3**

and that there is an equation for the release of oxygen

**2NaOCL --> 2NaCL + O2**

If someone could explain to me, with equations, why the hypochlortie concentration decreases, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks



Also,

When I google it.

Why is the hypochlorite ion (OCl-) often written as ClO-?

In my worksheet it says OCL- but online all the equations have ClO

[NotSureIfSRS]

Damn, no replies yet   

[Borek]

Oh my, it is June, Saturday evening and none of us is sitting at the computer, eagerly waiting to answer some question. Shame on us.

Actually... not. We do have a life, don't we?

Have you ever smelled hypochlorite?

[NotSureIfSRS]

I never intended for my second comment to be rude or even interpreted that way.

 And yes, I've smelt hypochlorite before. I spent 8 hours titrating it haha.

Also I'm not American, I'm Australian so our times are quite a bit off

[Borek]

And yes, I've smelt hypochlorite before. I spent 8 hours titrating it haha.

And what does it smell of?

[curiouscat]

I never intended for my second comment to be rude or even interpreted that way.

Barely 4 hours passed before you posted that second comment.

If not rude it sure was impatient. Don't forget this is a free forum.

[NotSureIfSRS]

And yes, I've smelt hypochlorite before. I spent 8 hours titrating it haha.

And what does it smell of?

Chlorine

[Borek]

And yes, I've smelt hypochlorite before. I spent 8 hours titrating it haha.

And what does it smell of?

Chlorine

Well, if it smells of chlorine, chlorine is between decomposition products, isn't it? Yet none of the reactions you listed:

Sodium Hypochlorite  ---> Chlorate

**3NaOCL --> 2NaCl + NaCLO3**

and that there is an equation for the release of oxygen

**2NaOCL --> 2NaCL + O2**

reflects your observations.

[curiouscat]

And yes, I've smelt hypochlorite before. I spent 8 hours titrating it haha.

And what does it smell of?

Chlorine

Checked Wikipedia yet?