The active ingredient in many laundry bleaches and bleaching powders is
A)hydrogen peroxide, H₂O₂.
B)hypochlorite ion, ClO⁻.
C)sodium dichromate, Na₂Cr₂O₇.
D)chlorine, Cl₂.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hypochlorite ion, ClO⁻, is commonly used as the active ingredient in many laundry bleaches and bleaching powders. Chlorine, Cl₂, can also be used, but it is more commonly used for disinfection purposes in water treatment systems. Sodium dichromate, Na₂Cr₂O₇, is a powerful oxidizing agent, but it is not commonly used in laundry products due to its toxicity. Hydrogen peroxide, H₂O₂, can also be used as a bleaching agent, but it is not as effective as hypochlorite ion for removing tough stains.

The Active Ingredient in Many Laundry Bleaches and Bleaching Powders