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Chemistry of Chlorites
Chemistry of Chlorites
figures than is customary with the same analytical titrations. or 2C10a- = ClOn (in NaOH only)
The details of the methods are not necessary here, but
Table I shows the reagents and reactants used in the analysis 'loZ- -
2
'loa- = c1203(in NaOH only)
of solutions. The analytical reagents for each determination
are given in the first column. "(NaOH)" indicates that Absorb in neutral KI:
strong sodium hydroxide may be necessary to prevent further
changes in the sample-e. g., the loss of gases. The reacting NazSZOs (in acid solution) = 5C10~ 2Cla++
NazSzOs(in neutral solution) = ClOl 2C12
compounds and their oxidation equivalents, shown in the or using standard HCI +
Na&Os +
standard NaOH:
second column, provide the bases for calculating the results.
These particular methods were selected because they were
applicable to a wide range of analytical problems. It soon
became evident that special care was necessary if the results It rarely happens that the analytical titrations will give the
were t o be suitable for any but the most approximate deter- exact balance of salts which would be expected from the
minations. equations for the absorption of chlorine and chlorine dioxide.
July, 1942 INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY 985
If the concentration of chloride exceeds that of
hypochlorite in the sodium hydroxide solution, TABLE 11. EFFECT OF SALTSON CHLORITE DECOMPOSITION AT 60° C.
it may indicate either a further reaction in the Expt. No. 35 37 38 60 66 73 67
absorber or the presence of hydrogen chloride NaClOz, mole/!. 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.26 0.25 0.25
NaClOa per 'iter
in the original gaseous mixture. I n one series
NaCl
...
... 5.g: 10 g. ... 0.25.....
mole ....
. . 0.25 mole
of experiments the chlorite concentration in Time, 1 1 1"' 015' 0.5 0.5 0.i'"'
the sodium hydroxide solution exceeded the g:ffw 4
NaOAc
4
NaOAo
4
NaOAc
3.8
PO,
4.0
PO,
2
HOAC
1.7
Po,
chlorate so persistently that chlorine trioxide NaClO2 decomposed,
might have been present. However, existence Products
mole/l. formed, 0.102 0.086 0.090 0.041 0.037 0.247 0.264
of this gas has been denied for many years on the mole/l.
c10, 0.050 0.044 0.044 0.019 0.017 0.121 0.117
basis of studies of absorption spectra. Recently NaClOa 0.022 0.016 0.008 0.053
Kantzer (22) claimed to have produced chlorine NaCl -
0.028 ... 01646 0.022 o.oii** 0.066 0.6iT.
trioxide and differentiated its absorption spec- Total 0.100 ... ... - 0.049
-
..... 0.240 ... ..
trum from that of chlorine dioxide. Goodeve ClOdNaClOa 2.3 2.8 ... 2.4 ..... 2.3 .....
and Richardson (17) repeated these experi-
ments without finding chlorine trioxide. It
might afford an explanation of some peculiar
reactions of the chlorites, but as it has never been found in in the absence of chlorides. When using commercial sodium
quantities much in excess of the analytical uncertainties, chlo- chlorite, chloride and chlorate are always present but
rine trioxide will be ignored in the subsequent discussion. in varying amounts, depending upon the quality of material.
The calcium peroxide used for the absorption of chlorine As shown in Table 11,an increase in chloride content does not
dioxide is so insoluble that filtration leaves a scarcely de- further accelerate the reaction.
tectable quantity of peroxide in solution. A thick cake of it Various workers have speculated concerning the possibility
is difficult to wash because of the ease with which it channels. that chlorous and chloric acids can form chlorine dioxide by 8
The analyses based on the use of only potassium iodide reversal of hydrolysis:
solution for absorbing the evolved gases require less time but
are subject to some inaccuracies. Thus all acid-generating
+
HClOn HClOa = 2C102 HzO + (8)
gases would be calculated as chlorine. Too high results for But this idea seems to have originated with Oechsli (36)
chlorine dioxide may be caused by excessive alkalinity of the without any experimental verification. Table I1 shows that
potassium iodide solution. when a chlorate was added to the chlorite in acid solution,
Better analytical methods are highly desirable and, except there was no evidence of enhanced production of chlorine
for a few cases in which the components are limited in number, dioxide, as would be expected if this or any other mechanism
must be found in order to secure sufficient precision for de- involving chlorates was contributing to its formation.
tailed study of the mechanism of the reactions of chlorites. Table I11 compares the results obtained when air is passed
continuouslv through the reacting solution with those when
Reactions of Chlorites the chlorink dioxize is not so Femoved. I n our earliest
experiments the methods for determining chlorine dioxide in
Many of the experiments on the reactions of chlorites alone the reacting solution had not been developed, so the gas was
in solution or in the presence of other substances were under- removed by a final short aeration. Since the total decom-
taken in an effort to gain a better understanding of bleaching position of the chlorite is not dependent upon aeration, this
processes, since both chlorine dioxide and chlorate have been reaction is not reversible. The early experiments may indi-
observed during bleaching. It is difficult to conceive of any cate that less chlorine dioxide and more chlorate resulted when
mechanism by which oxidizing values transformed into chlo- the chlorine dioxide remained in the solution. While this
rate could be of any further service in bleaching. Therefore, suggests that chlorate is formed from chlorine dioxide, we do
economy demands that its formation should be kept at a not regard this evidence as conclusive.
minimum. Chlorine dioxide is a bleaching agent. The The data in a previous communication from this laboratory
question thus arises as to whether its formation should be (42) indicate that the proportions of the products are the same
promoted for best bleaching. A definite answer has not been a t room temperature as at 60' C. Both temperatures are
found; possibly it will depend upon the material being therefore included in Table IV, which shows the effect of
bleached. concentration upon the decomposition of sodium chlorite a t
Before these problems of bleaching can be solved, the re- pH 4. The concentrated solutions evolved so much chlorine
actions of chlorites must be reinvestigated in view of the con- dioxide that elevated temperatures were not advisable, while
fusion in the literature. Recent experimenta-
tion has demonstrated that pH is of great im-
portance and that the conflicting observations
can be clarified upon this basis. The subject TABLE 111. EFFECTOF CHLORINE DIOXIDE REMOVAL ON CHLORITE
leads into so many diverse phases that numer- DECOMPOSITION
ous further contributions are essential to a Expt. No- 22 6 23 9 60 68
more complete knowledge of these reactions. NpClOz, mole/l. 0.25 0.26 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.26
Air stream hours
Above s&n. 5.5 0 5.5 0 0.5 0
Decomposition Throyh s o h
Temp., C.
0.5 6.0
Room Room
0.5
62
6.0
62
0
60
0.5
60
2.5 2.5 4 4 3.8 3.8
Almost all possible products which may exist r;tlfter HOAc HOAc Na&POa NaHzPO4 N ~ K I P O , NaHzPOa
in the solution have been supposed to affect the NaCIO, decomposed,
mole/l. 0.108 0.108 0.105 0.097 0.041 0.039
course of the decomposition of chlorites in acid Products formed, mole/l.
solutions. Barnett ( I ) found that chlorides ClO: 0.033 0.053 0.027 0.045 0.019 0.020
NaClOi 0.026 0.026 0.039 0.023 0.008 0.010
accelerated the decomposition of chlorites. NaCl a
- - -
0.017 0.028 0.030 0.027
- 0.022
- -
0.013
Since chlorides areinvariably present either as an Total 0.076 0.107 0.096 0.098 0.049 0.043
impurity or as products of the decomposition, ClOz/NaClOs 1.3 2.0 0.7 2.1 2.4 2.0
the chlorites cannot be commercially utilized I
786 INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY Vol. 34, No. 7
- ~ ~~
V. EFFECTOF pH
TABLE ON CHLORITE
DECOMPOSITION
AT 60" C. AFTER 30 MINUTES
Expt. N o . 63 64 65 73 55 59 56 71 72 60a 58 52 53 54 61 81
NaClOa,
mole/l. 0.25 0.05 0.05 0.25 0.20 0.25 0.20 0.28 0.25 0.29 0.25 0.25 0.20 0.20 0.25 0.25
0.6 0.5 1.3 2.0 2.0 2.1-2.3 2.8 3.2 3.2 3.7-3.9 3.8-4.0 4 4.6 5.3 5.9 7.0
&er NaHSOi NaHSO4 Hap04 HOAo HOAc Po4 HOAc HOAc HOAa Po4 Po4 NaOAc NaOAc NaOAc POI Po4
NaClOz de-.
de-
composed.
mole/l. 0.254 0.051 0.048 0.247 0.189 0.232 0.165 0.165 0.156 0.041 0.024 0.038 0.0059 0.0017 0.0014
0,0014 0.015b
Products
formed.
mole/l.'
c10, 0.123 0.024 0.022 0.121 0.079 0.104 0.062 0.072 0.075 0.019 0.010 0 016 0 0030 0.0006 0 0009 0 OOlb
NaClOs 0.051 0.010 0.010 0.053 0.029 0.049 0.035 0.035 0.031 0.008 0.004 0:007 0:0014 0.0011 0:0004 0:008b
NaCl
- - - -- - - --
0.068 0.015 0.018 0.066 0.060 0.060 0.046 0.047 0.043 0.022 0.011 0.013 0.0006 0.0008 0.0027 0.010b
Total 0.242 0.049 0.050 0.240 0.168 0.213 0.143 0.154 0.149 0.049 0.025 0.036 0.0050 0.0025 0.0040 0.019b
ClOp/NaClOs 2.4 2.4 2.2 2.3 2.7 2.1 1.8 2.1 2.4 2.4 2.5 2.3 2.1 0.5 2.3 0.1
a PO, more concentrated t h a n in experiment 58.
b After 5 hours.
a t room temperature the changes in dilute solutions were too determined ratio for these products is frequently greater than
small to be accurately determined. The ratio of chlorine 2, it is possible that Equation 9 is the summation of equations
dioxide to chlorate approximates 2 in many experiments a t representing two or more reactions.
the higher concentrations. With sodium chlorite concen- The formation of chlorate has been observed without any
trations of 0.25 M or less, the ratio of these products was accompanying chlorine dioxide when solid sodium chlorite is
definitely greater than 2, which may indicate that chlorine heated ($4, 42) :
dioxide and chlorate are the result of separate reactions.
Aeration or the nature of the buffers used was not consistent
3NaC102 = 2NaC10s NaCl + (10)
in effect. Chlorates are also formed in the slow decomposition of alkaline
To show the effect of pH, experiments were selected in solutions of chlorites. The data for pH 7 in Table V may
which 100 ml. of sodium chlorite solution in various concen- indicate that there is a gradual transition from this reaction
trations were allowed to react for 30 minutes. Any evolved under alkaline conditions to the type of decomposition found
gases were carried to an absorber by an air stream above the in acid solution. If the same mechanism is assumed to be
surface of the reacting solution. Table V shows that below involved in chlorate formation in acid solution, subtraction
p H 4.6 the ratio of chlorine dioxide formed to chlorate formed of Equation 10 (converted to acid equivalents) from two times
was consistently greater than 2, with the exception of experi- Equation 9 will give the following equation for the production
ment 56. The buffering chemical or the exact concentration of chlorine dioxide:
of sodium chlorite did not affect this ratio. At higher pH
values the extent of the reaction was so small that accuracy 5HC101 = 4c1oz + HCl t 2H20 (11)
was low. At pH 7 there may be a tendency toward the pro- The experiments in buffered solutions have not yielded clear
duction of chlorate without the formation of chlorine dioxide. evidence of such a reaction. I n some of his experiments
The data for the production of chlorine dioxide and chlorate Barnett (1) produced chlorine dioxide equal t o four fifths of
a t 60' C. from 0.25 M sodium chlorite solutions are plotted the consumption of chlorite by boiling solutions containing
in Figure 1. The extent of their formation increases greatly purified sodium chlorite and perchloric acid. We were un-
as the pH is lowered from 4 to 2. According to the ionization able to obtain these results on repeating his experiments with
constant of chlorous acid a t lower temperature, as determined commercial sodium chlorite, perhaps because of the difference
by Barnett ( I ) , the ratio between chlorous acid and chlorite in the purity of the chlorites.
ion should change greatly in this same range of pH. Below I n some unreported experiments the rate of evolution of
p H 2 exhaustion of the chlorite masks any possible effect of chlorine dioxide at pH 4 was nearly proportional to the
PH. square of the chlorite concentration, although the factor
The equation which has been written for the decomposition varied greatly with the particular buffer salt employed. The
of chlorous acid shows both chlorine dioxide and chlorate as red color of concentrated solutions may be an indication of
products in a ratio of 2 to 1: a molecular complex including chlorine dioxide, which could
4HC102 = 2C102 + HClOs + HC1 + HzO (9) .be an intermediate step in the decomposition of the chlorite.
The mechanism of the reaction which forms chlorine dioxide
The chlorine in two of the products is in a higher state of is still obscure. Chlorides and chlorates may have a small
oxidation than in chlorous acid. Since the experimentally effect on the decomposition of a chlorite solution while hy-
July, 1942 INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY 787
drogen ion affectsonly the rate. Thus, the decomposition is found that these solutions could be used in bleaching while
inherent in the chlorite itself. Speculations on the mecha- Parsons and Jackson ($7) suggested the substitution of hy-
nism of this reaction must also include the approximate con- pochlorite for chlorine. Such bleaching frequently resulted
stancy of the proportions of the products when the conditions in the formation of some chlorine dioxide and chlorate. Stud-
of the experiments were quite diverse. ies of the effect of varying conditions show that among other
factors, p H is important in determining not only the propor-
Effect of Chlorine and Hypochlorites tions of the products but also the course of the reaction be-
tween chlorite and hypochlorite.
The introduction of chlorine or hypochlorites into the solu- The cornerstone of our whole understanding of the reaction
tion of a chlorite considerably modifies the course of the re- between a hypochlorite and a chlorite is the observation that
actions. Foerster and Dolch (14) showed that in alkaline chlorine dioxide is a primary product of the reaction. There
solution the formation of chlorites was one step of the well- is no definite relation between the proportions of chlorine
known transformation of hypochlorites into chlorates. The dioxide and chlorate formed. Under certain conditions
formation of chlorites is a slow reaction which limits the rate solutions analyzed as soon as the reagents were mixed con-
of chlorate formation. Since for rapid formation of chlorate tained more chlorine dioxide than solutions of the same com-
it is necessary to overchlorinate the alkali, the equation is position which had stood 30 minutes. Table VI shows the
frequently written to indicate that hypochlorous acid and data for analyses made immediately after mixing and again
hypochlorite ion participate in the reaction: on the same solution after 30 minutes. The evolved gases
HClO + 2ClO- = H+ + ClOs- + 2C1- (12)
were less than 1per cent of the total moles so that they were
neglected in these computations. I n the experiments of
The intermediate formation of chlorites may be represented Table VI and all others to be mentioned here, the chlorite was
by such equations as: placed in a buffer solution and the hypochlorite solution added
to the mixture a t room temperature. Both chlorine dioxide
2NaClO = NaClOe + NaCl (13)
NaClOa + NaClO - NaCIOI + NaCl (14)
and chlorate were formed as soon as the solutions were mixed,
but on standing the chlorine dioxide and hypochlorite dis-
appeared in amounts which agree quite well with the equation,
Chlorine dioxide has also been observed as a product of the
reaction of hypochlorites upon chlorites. Foerster and Dolch 2C102 + HClO + HzO = 2HClOs + HC1 (16)
(14) believed that chlorate was the primary product and that
chlorine dioxide was formed by the reaction of chlorous and which is essentially the same as Equation 15.
chloric acids. It was pointed out above in the discussion of The reaction of chlorine with a chlorite is nearly quantita-
the decomposition of chlorites that this does not appear tive according to the equation:
probable. Under slightly different conditions the same
authors found that chlorine dioxide and a hypochlorite would
2NaC10z + C1, 50 + 2NaCl
2C1OZ (17)
react to form a chlorate: Making allowance for the hydrolysis of chlorine, the same
+ +
2C102 NaClO 2NaOH = NaCl 2NaClOa HzO (15) + + action for hypochlorous acid would be
Cunningham and Losch (8) and Levi and Tabet (27) inde- +
2HC102 HClO = 2C102 HCI HzO + +
(18)
pendently discovered that the addition of chlorine to a chlo-
rite solution would liberate chlorine dioxide. Logan ($00) but the data are not sufficient to decide whether this actually
represents the reaction. Addition of Equations 16 and 18
gives the simplest equation for the formation of chlorate.
Various other suggested mechanisms for the reaction of chlo-
rine dioxide to form chlorate end in the same summation.
.I2
The analytical methods give no indication of the intermediate
& reactions so that the actual mechanism of chlorate formation
is not evident.
.to
E
TABLEVI. EFFECT OF TIMEON CHLORITE-HYPOCHLORITE
RE-
.08 I I I
\
I \ I I I ACTION AT pH 5.8-5.7 AND ROOMTEMPERATURE
c Mole per 400 M1.
2 Im-
mediate Slow
Y Expt. 54 Added 0 time change 30 min. change Theory
8 .06 NaC108 0.0003
c102
0.0023
0.0028
+0.0020 0.0042 +0.0019
+0.0028 0.0009 -0.0019
f0.0019
-0.0019
E NaClOl 0:665l
NaClO 0.0103
0
0.0066
-0.0051 0
-0.0037 0.0060 -0.0006
0 .....
-0.00095
NaCl 0.0028 0.0070 +0.0042 0.0078 4-0.0008 f0.00095
.04 Total 0.0185 0.0187 .. ..
. 0.0189 .... . .....
tions. By using different experimental methods and in- chlorine dioxide. The mechanism of these reactions is un-
creasing the temperature to 50' C., the rate of the reaction in known.
alkaline solution was determined. Velocity constant K Chlorites can also react quantitatively with reducing agents.
showed the least variation when calculated on the basis of an Their analytical determination depends upon the liberation
equation of the second order. Table VI11 shows the effect of iodine from iodide. Bray (4) found also that iodates can
upon the values for Kz of varying concentrations of chlorite be produced by the action of chlorites on iodine or iodides.
and hypochlorite, which were always initially equimolar, and Yntema and Fleming (67) suggested using this reaction for
of sodium hydroxide. These experiments were calculated the determination of iodides. Jackson and Parsons (19)
for a specific purpose so that the values of K i are based upon developed a method for the determination of sulste by the
the percentage of original oxidizing power with minutes as use of sodium chlorite.
the unit of time. Several analyses showed that the consump-
tion of hypochlorite and chlorite involved equal numbers of Action of Chlorites in Bleaching
molecules of each. Equation 14 represents such a reaction
of the second order. The variation of the numerical values Whether sodium chlorite or chlorine dioxide is the actual
indicates that this is not the complete formulation of the oxidizing agent in bleaching remains to be considered. Under
mechanism of this reaction. Using a more limited range of certain conditions the consumption of sodium chlorite in acid
conditions, Foerster and Dolch (14) found a similar variation solution was found to be 26 per cent in the absence of paper
in the values of Kz. The order of magnitude of their values pulp and 80 per cent in its presence. The experiments using
for K z agree a t similar concentrations with those shown in variations in the aeration of the acid solutions of chlorites
Table VI11 after correction for the difference in units. showed that the quantity of chlorine dioxide formed was not
increased by its removal from the sphere of action. If the
chlorine dioxide formed from the chlorite had been exhausted
TABLEVIII. Ka VALUESFOR RATEOF CHLORATE FORMATIONin bleaching the paper pulp, additional quantities corre-
IN SODIUM HYDROXIDE AT 50' C. sponding to the chlorite consumed would not be formed.
Equal Conon.
of NeClOl
and NsClO
-NaOH
4.0 M 1.5 M
Concentration
0.5 M
-
0.08 M
Therefore, the majority of the consumption of the chlorite in
the presence of paper pulp must have been by direct reaction
1.755 M 2 X 10-4 8.5 X 10-6 5.3 X 10-6 9 X lo-' of the chlorite ion. As pH 4 or higher is generally used for
0.75 M 4.5 X 10-5 1.5 X 10-5 1.0 X 10-6 1.1 X lo-' bleaching, the un-ionized chlorous acid need not be considered
0.25M 1.0 X 10-6 3 X 10-6 2 X 10- 2.1 X
as a possible oxidizing agent. Chlorinated products derived
from the material being bleached cannot be produced by a
side reaction when chlorites are used, since chlorine cannot be
The production of chlorine dioxide and chlorates from chlo- formed from chlorites under the conditions of bleaching.
rites by the action of hypochlorites is accomplishedby oxida- The results of Jeanes and Isbell (21) when oxidizing glucose
tion. Other oxidizing agents, such as sodium dichromate, to gluconic acid with sodium chlorite point to this same con-
sodium persulfate, lead dioxide, ozone, and bromine, will clusion. They found that sodium chlorite and acid oxidized
react in this same manner with a chlorite. Levi and his co- about four times as much glucose in one day as a similar
workers (24,26, 27) made similar observations. Whether quantity of chlorine dioxide in one week. The probable pH
chlorine dioxide and chlorate are produced singly or together of the chlorine dioxide solution makes comparison at pH 4
probably depends upon the conditions more than upon the the most accurate. It is possible that the oxidation accom-
specific oxidizing agent used with the chlorite. There are plished by the chlorine dioxide depended upon its hydrolysis
some indications that chlorine dioxide may be a primary to chlorous acid.
product of these reactions just as it is when hypochlorite is On standing a t room temperature in both brown and clear
used. I
glass containers, solutions of chlorine dioxide in water become
progressively more acid, which may be the result of hydroly-
Action of Reducing Agents sis. While the analyses of these solutions did not fully agree,
Some reducing agents can also liberate chlorine dioxide they indicated chloric acid formation amounting to several
from sodium chlorite under conditions where this salt alone is per cent of the chlorine dioxide. The various combinations
relatively stable. Such peculiar results are not limited to of titrations from which chlorous acid could be calculated gave
sodium chlorite. Turner, Nabar, and Scholefield (@) found contradictory results.
that vat dyes in the reduced state promote the damage of Acid solutions of chlorites have been found to bleach
cotton by hypochlorite. cellulosic materials without damage to the strength properties.
The addition of formaldehyde to a solution of sodium The viscosity of cellulose solutions in cuprammonium hydrox-
chlorite causes the evolution of chlorine dioxide. Preliminary ide, a more sensitive measure of cellulose degradation than
experiments indicate that in weakly acid solutions the chlorine the conventional strength tests, also shows no change as the
dioxide evolution may be several times greater in the presence result of using acid chlorites.
of formaldehyde than in its absence. Chlorate formation I n their experiments on glucose Jeanes and Isbell (21)
does not appear to be greatly affected. At about pH 7 found that chlorites can oxidize only the reducing sugars. If
chlorite alone in the solution undergoes scarcely any change the terminal active oxygen atom is linked to two carbon
in 6 hours a t room temperature. On the addition of form- atoms, as in cellulose chains, oxidation does not take place.
aldehyde, the same concentration of sodium chlorite is almost Only minute traces of two- and four-carbon atom residues
completely consumed in 30 minutes with the formation of were found on oxidizing glucose; chlorites, therefore, do not
considerable quantities of chlorine dioxide and sodium chlo- attack the carbon-to-carbon bond to any appreciable extent.
rate. The invariable presence of carbon dioxide shows that Hypochlorite, on the contrary, breaks the glucose molecule
formaldehyde is oxidized. The importance of this reaction into many short-chain residues. I n the degradation of
at pH 7 is that it permits the production of chlorine dioxide cellulose, according to a current theory, the breaking of the
in a solution under conditions where corrosion will be at a carbon-to-carbon bond on one side of the anhydroglucose
minimum and without the use of another oxidizing agent. ring precedes rupture of the chain. The superiority of chlo-
Formic acid does not cause this reaction but acetaldehyde, rite as a bleaching agent appears, therefore, to be based upon
benzaldehyde, ferrous sulfate, etc., bring about evolution of sound theoretical grounds.
790 INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY Vol. 34, No. 7
No complete explanation can be constructed for the case of straw. Both sodium chlorite and the easily controlled quan-
bleaching with a mixture of a chlorite and a hypochlorite. tities of chlorine dioxide which can be produced from it are
The results as measured by the strength properties of the finding use in many other fields such as bleaching sugar sirups,
bleached materials are intermediate between those custom- treating starch, and improving the quality of flour. Not only
arily obtained by the use of a hypochlorite and of a chlorite does the use of chlorites result in the desired oxidation or
in acid solution. The chief advantage of using both reagents bleaching, but it also yields a product whose other properties
is less corrosion by the bleaching medium compared with are superior. It has repeatedly been found that chlorites
the effect of acid and chlorites. The experimental study serve these purposes accompanied by such advantages as
of the mechanism of this bleaching process is incom- fewer steps in the process, shorter time, and smaller quantities
plete, and while certain phenomena could be explained if of available chlorine (iodine equivalents).
chlorine dioxide were assumed to be an active bleaching It is obviously impossible to consider all these various
agent, other observations indicate that it could not produce developments in detail. Of those which have reached the
the results attained. Until these contradictions are resolved, commercial stage, only the bleaching of wood pulp and textiles
the relative effect of the various components in the mixed will be discussed here. The bleaching of sugar sirups will
solution cannot be evaluated. serve as an example of the successful use of chlorite in plant-
The customary consideration of only the cellulose in its scale tests.
bleaching problems is unfortunate. I n bleaching cellulose
with hypochlorites, it is necessary to strive to preserve the Bleaching of Wood Pulp
cellulose. Chlorites act primarily on the materials sought to
be removed in the bleaching process and not on the cellulose. Wood pulp prepared by the sulfite process was fairly easily
The problem of bleaching cotton with chlorites then becomes bleached to meet the demands existing two or three decades
different from that of wood pulp, and the methods for the ago. Economic considerations and the exhaustion of readily
most economical use of chlorites as bleaching agents may be available sources of suitable wood caused the pulp industry
different for these two materials. to move toward the southern states. The woods in this
region were made into pulp by the kraft or sulfate process,
Other Oxidations with Chlorites and could serve as a source of the better grades of paper only
There are many other oxidations in which a chlorite may if the pulp could be bleached. Years of study have been
be of advantage. Its oxidizing action is moderately strong expended on the bleaching of this pulp, and the results have
and it can be used in acid solution. According t o Groggins been applied to kraft pulps no matter where they are pre-
( I @ , the oxidation of isoeugenol to vanillin by dichromates or pared.
permanganates is difficult to control. Chlorites might suit- The general process of bleaching such pulps requires treat-
ably replace stronger oxidizing agents and make the reaction ment with various chemicals in several different steps. I n
easier to control. When chlorates and acid are used as the first step it is customary to use chlorine which reacts with
suggested by Milas (33,63),the evolution of chlorine dioxide residual lignin in the pulp to produce a soluble product. An
frequently becomes excessive and violent explosions may re- alkaline treatment frequently follows to remove more of the
sult. It is quite possible that the oxidizing power of chlorites colored impurities. Hypochlorite is then used, whether or
might be applied under milder conditions so that the chlorine not the pulp has been given an alkaline treatment, to oxidize
dioxide evolution could be more easily controlled. The use of the remaining colored bodies. This was a fairly satisfactory
chlorites for the oxidation of only certain groups should be process if the bleaching was not carried too far. Previous to
investigated. the present emergency the demand for whiter and whiter
pulps led t o the use of two stages of hypochlorite treatment
Chlorine Dioxide from Chlorites which was superior to attempting to secure the improved
color by a single stage of hypochlorite bleaching. However
An important reaction of sodium chlorite is for the genera- the hypochlorite was used, the more complete bleaching of the
tion of chlorine dioxide. There are many suggested labora- pulp was accompanied by a serious loss of strength. The
tory and commercial uses for this gas in the extensive litera- most important strength tests in general use are the Mullen,
ture. Chlorine dioxide is best prepared from chlorine and a or bursting, strength and the tearing resistance. The use of
chlorite solution. The evolution of chlorine dioxide is readily chlorites permits this thorough bleaching without lowering
controlled by regulating the flow of chlorine. Logan (29) these strength properties of a pulp.
designed an apparatus which prevents chlorine from con- I n most applications to wood pulp, all the bleaching that
taminating the chlorine dioxide generated. I n this appara- can safely be accomplished with the other chemicals is
tus the chlorine is absorbed in a generator completely filled realized and followed by the chlorite treatment. Whether
with chlorite solution. The solution is transferred t o an acid or hypochlorite is used with the chlorite depends upon the
aerator, and the chlorine dioxide is removed for use by aspi- apparatus available and the specific results desired. Both
rating with an inert gas. Accumulation of a dangerous con- processes have been used on wood pulp. The degree of im-
centration of gaseous chlorine dioxide is avoided in this provement over other bleaching methods, when using chlorite
generating apparatus. and hypochlorite mixtures, depends to a great extent upon
Uses of Chlorites local conditions. The results with acidified chlorites are
limited only by the quality of the pulp.
Chlorites are finding varied uses in many fields. Processes We are permitted to present some of the results obtained
using chlorites for the bleaching of wood pulp (Q1,60,66) and by one manufacturer with the acidified chlorite process for
cotton and rayon textiles (11, 4.9, 51, 62) are in commercial bleaching kraft pulp. One stage of hypochlorite bleaching
operation. The laboratory and some plant-scale information was formerly used as the final step in their process. An
has already been published, chiefly in the papers mentioned. additional stage using 0.5 per cent available chlorine (iodine
Studies on the treatment of many other materials with chlo- equivalents) of sodium chlorite based upon the weight of the
rites are in various stages of development from laboratory to pulp a t pH 4.5 has been introduced, which permits reduction
commercial operation. I n the cellulose field these include, of the amount of hypochlorite in the next previous bleaching
for example, improving the quality of cotton linters, bleaching stage. The use of chlorite produced the following changes in
rag pulp with smaller amounts of chemicals, and bleaching the properties of the resulting paper:
July, 1942 INDUSTRIAL A N D XNG INEERING CHEMISTRY 79 1
Without With was bleached with hypochlorite alone, and its darker color
Chlorite Chlorite Advantage
Mullen strength 80% 90% +12% shows that oxycellulose was formed during bleaching.
Tearing strength 100 150 +50 Spun rayon, pigmented rayon, and acetate rayon fabrics
These figures represent the strength in pounds divided by the are scoured and bleached in a single operation by the action
weight of a ream of paper of a certain size multiplied by 100 to of a hot acid chlorite solution to which is added a detergent
convert to percentage. The process using chlorite produced capable of functioning in an acid medium and resisting the
a pulp of greater uniformity, and there was consequently less oxidizing action of the chlorite (11). This not only saves time
“below standard” production. The color of the bleached and cost by reducing the number of processing steps but also
pulp was improved without any-loss of strength. results in a more even “prepare” to promote more uniform
dyeing.
Finishing Textiles Other uses for chlorites in the textile industry include the
oxidation of vat dyes, the stripping of sulfur dyes, and the
Chlorites are being used in various ways in the finishing solubilizing of starch in weaving and finishing operations.
operations of cotton and rayon textiles. The fabric as re- Sodium chlorite is also used in treating other materials
ceived by the finishing plant from the looms of the throw than cellulose. Recently completed plant-scale tests used
mill is known as greige goods. The cotton fabric in this un- mixtures of sodium chlorite and calcium hypochlorite for the
finished form is water repellent and discolored, due to natu- bleaching of sugar sirups. In present practice calcium hypo-
rally occurring waxes, pectins, and color bodies in the raw chlorite is but one of several steps in the processing of the
fiber. I n addition, a sizing, principally starch, applied to the sugar sirups. The use of the mixture of sodium chlorite
warp threads to facilitate the weaving operation, is present. with the calcium hypochlorite yielded sirups of lighter and
more uniform color than the customary process with hypo-
chlorite alone in the bleaching step. Cost figures indicate
that the new process is cheaper, partially because there is
less loss.
Acknowledgment
The authors wish to acknowledge the aid given by many
of their associates in The Mathieson Alkali Works, Inc. In
addition to several of these whose names appear in the litera-
turecitations, R. N. Aston, J. E. Brennan, C. C. Clark, E. 0.
Fenrich, C. A. Hampel, J. J. Holland, M. G. Kelakos, R. B.
MacMullin, H. L. Robson, L. E. Russell, and E. C. Soule
have made valuable contributions.
Literature Cited
(1) Barnett, B., dissertation, Univ. of California, 1935.
(2) Becher, W., U. 5. Patent 1,904,190(April 18,1933).
3. TESTFOR OXYCELLULOSE
FIGURE (3) Bhaduri, I., Z.a w g . C h m . , 13,385 (1897).
(4) Bray, W.C.,8. physik. Chem., 54, 731 (1906).
(5) Bruni, G., and Levi, G. R., Gazz. chim. ital., 45,161 (1915).
The principal operations in the finishing plant to purify the (6) Calvert, F. C., and Davies, E., J. Chem. Soc., 11, 193 (1859).
cotton fabric and prepare it for subsequent processes are kier (7) Chapin, R. M., J . Am. Chem. Soc., 56, 2211 (1934).
boiling with a caustic soda solution, followed by bleaching with (8) Cunningham, G. L., and Losch, B. J. (to Mathieson Alkali
Works), U. 8. Patent 2,043,284(June 9, 1936).
a hypochlorite solution. Sodium chlorite is being used to (9) Davidson, G. F.,J . Teztile Inst., 24, T185 (1933).
advantage in both of these steps. When added to the kiering (10) Davy, H., Trans. Roy. SOC.(London), 101,155 (1811); 105,214
solution (II), it acts as a desieing agent and in addition as an (1815).
aid to the caustic soda in dissolving and removing both the (11) Dubeau, A. L.,MacMahon, J. D., and Vincent, G. P., Am. Dye-
stuf Reptr., 28, 590 (1939).
other water-repellent materials and the seed hull fragments (12) Elod, E., and Vogel, F., Melliand Teztilber., 18,64 (1937).
known in the industry as motes. I n the bleaching step a (13) Ferran, J. U., Qukm. e ind., 6,219 (1929).
mixture of chlorite and hypochlorite (62)is displacing hypo- (14) Foerster, F., and Dolch, P., 8. Elektrochem., 23,137 (1917).
chlorite solution or “chemic” to advantage, with less deg- (15) Gay-Lussac, J. L., Ann., 39, 124 (1841).
(16) Gmelin’s Handbuoh der anorganischen Chemie, System No. 6,
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Various tests are generally associated with degradation of (17) Goodeve, C.F., and Richardson, F. D., Compt. rend., 205, 416
the cellulose. The viscosity or fluidity of the solution in (1937).
ouprammonium hydroxide already mentioned has consist- (18) Groggins, P.H., “Unit Processes in Organio Synthesis”. p. 339,
New York, MoGraw-Hill Book Co., 1935.
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b y the use of chlorite. Samples of the same brightness 9, 14 (1937).
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b y a textile finishing company t o the National Bureau of (1935).
Standards without any marks to indicate the treatments used. (21) Jeanes, A., and Isbell, H. S., J . Research Natl. Bur. Standards,
27,125 (1941).
The bureau confirmed previous findings that the sample (22) Kantzer, M., Compt. rend., 202,209 (1936).
bleached by the process, using a mixture of chlorite and hy- (23) Kolthoff, I. M., Rec. trav. chim., 41,740 (1922).
pochlorite, was superior to those bleached by the customary (24) Levi, G.R.,Attiaccad. Lincei, [ 5 ]31,I, 370 (1922).
hypochlorite method or by peroxide. (25) Levi, G. R., Atti V congr. nazl. chim. pur applicata, Rome,
1935,Pt. 1, 382 (1936).
Degradation of the cellulose may also be measured by an (26) Levi, G. R., and Ghiron D., Atti accad. Lincei, [6] 11, 1005
unstandardieed test in which the reduction of silver nitrate (1930).
is used as a visual indication of the presence of oxycellulose. (27) Levi, G. R.,and Tabet, M., Gazz. chim. ital., 65, 1138 (1935).
Figure 3 was prepared from an unretouched photograph of the (28) Logan, J. 0.(to Mathieson Alkali Works), U,S. Patent 2,046,-
830 (July 7, 1936).
results of this test. The white cloth was bleached with the (29) Ibid., 2,131,447(Sept. 27,1938).
mixture of chlorite and hypochlorite; the other piece of cloth (30) Ibid., 2,235,837(March, 25,1941).
INDUSTRIAL AND E N G I N E E R I N G CHEMISTRY Vol. 34, No. 1
Martens, M., Ann. chim. phys., [2] 61, 293 (1836). (45) Vincent, G. P., (to Mathieson Alkali Works), U. 9. Patent
Mellor, J. W., “Comprehensive Treatise on Inorganic and 2,031,681 (Feb. 25, 1936).
Theoretical Chemistry”, Vol. 11, London, Longmans, Green (46) Ibid., 2,036,375 (April 7, 1936).
and Co., 1922. (47) Ibid., 2,092,944-5 (Sept. 14, 1937).
Milas, N. A., J.Am. Chem. Soc., 5 0 , 4 9 3 (1928). (48) Ibid., 2,108,976 (Feb. 22, 1938).
Millon, N. A. E., Ann. chim. phys., [3] 7, 298 (1843). (49) Vincent, G. P., Am. Dyestuff Reptr., 29, 269 (1940).
Oechsli, W., Z . Elektrochem., 9, 807 (1903). (50) Vincent, G. P., Paper Mill. 63, No. 41, 10 (1940).
Opfermann, E., and Hochberger, E., “Die Bleiche des Zell- (51) Vincent, G. P., Dubeau, A. L., and Ivey, J. W., Am. Dyestuf
stoffs”, Pt. I, p. 77, Berlin, Otto Elsner Verlagsgesellschaft, Reptr , 29, 296(1940).
1935. (52) Vincent, G. P., Dubeau, A. L., and Synan, J. F., Ibid., 30,358
Parsons, J. L., and Jackson, D. T. (to Hammermill Paper Co.), (1941).
U. S. Patent 2,120,678 (June 14, 1938). (53) Wagner, E. C., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 50, 1233 (1928).
Reychler, M. A,, Bull. SOC. chim., 25, 669 (1901). (54) White, J. F. (to Mathieson Alkali Works), U. S. Patent 2,036,311
Schacherl, G., Ann., 206, 68 (1881). (April 7, 1936).
Smith, W. V., Pitaer, K. S., and Latimer, W. M., J . Am. Chem. (55) White, J. F., and Vincent, G. P.. Tech. Assoc. Papers, 24,571
Soc., 59, 2640 (1937). (1941).
Taylor, M. C., White, J. F., andVincent, G. P., Tech. ASEOC. (56) Wolters, W., J . prakt. Chem., 121 10, 128 (1874).
Papers, 23, 251 (1940). (57) Yntema, L. F., and Fleming, T., IND.ENQ.CHEW.,ANAL.ED.,
Taylor, M. C., White, J. F., Vincent, G. P., and Cunningham, 11, 375 (1939).
G.L., IND. ENG.CHEM.,32, 899 (1940).
Turner, H. A., Nabar, G. M., and Soholefield, F., J . SOC.Dyers PRESENTED a8 p a r t of t h e Symposium on Recent Advances in the Chemis-
Colourists, 51, 5 (1935). t r y of Nonmetals before the Sixth Annual Symposium of t h e Division of
Underwood, W. F., and Mack, E., J. Phys. Chem., 35, 2650 Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, A M E R I C A N CHEXICAL SOCIETY, held in
(1931). Columbus, Ohio.
OR many years sulfamic acid was known as an obscure fonic acid, and a third sulfonic acid substitution yields