Note 34 — Chapter XI · THE HALOGENS: CHLORINE, BROMINE, IODINE, AND FLUORINE

A solution of chlorine monoxide, or hypochlorous acid, does not explode, owing to the presence of the mass of water. In dissolving, chlorine monoxide evolves about 9,000 heat units, so that its store of heat becomes less.

The capacity of hypochlorous acid (studied by Carius and others) for entering into combination with the unsaturated hydrocarbons is very often taken advantage of in organic chemistry. Thus its solution absorbs ethylene, forming the chlorhydrin C₂H₄ClOH.

The oxidising action of hypochlorous acid and its salts is not only applied to bleaching but also to many reactions of oxidation. Thus it converts the lower oxides of manganese into the peroxide.