Chlorite

As chlorite is called salts of chlorous acid HClO2. In the chlorite anion ( ClO2 ) chlorine has an oxidation number of 3. In this state, chlorine and chlorite is a strong oxidant and easily decomposed.

Chlorites are made in the art by introducing chlorine dioxide ( ClO2) in sodium hydroxide -hydrogen peroxide solutions.

The most important of these is the sodium chlorite, a white crystalline salt. It is stable in pure form and safely handled in solution. In mixed with combustible material, however, it is explosive. The sparingly soluble in water, light yellow colored chlorites of silver and lead are explosive per se, and may only be isolated under appropriate safeguards in pure form.

They are used as bleaching agents for textiles. The ClO2, which is free on acidification, bleaching gentle fiber.