13 Chlorine monoxide Uses: Facts You Should Know

Chlorine monoxide is a chemical radical mainly found in the gaseous state. Let us see some important uses of chlorine monoxide in detail.

Chlorine monoxide is a red-yellow gas with the chemical formula ClO and the various uses of chlorine monoxide are discussed below.

• Production of other compounds
• Space applications
• Synthesis of chlorinated compounds
• To control growth of microbes
• wood industry
• Semiconductor industry
• Paper industry

This article discusses the uses of chlorine monoxide in different industries.

Production of other compounds

• Chlorine monoxide is widely used in the production of calcium hypochlorite, an active ingredient of bleaching powder.
• ClO is an active component used for controlling the growth of microorganisms.

Space applications

• ClO is commonly used to sterilize space applications.
• ClO inhibits the growth of microbes in space and is used as a cleaning compound.

Synthesis of chlorinated compounds

• Chlorine monoxide is used for the synthesis of chlorinated solvents.
• Chloroisocyanurate is prepared from ClO.

To control growth of microbes

• Chlorine monoxide is used for cleaning swimming pools.
• Bleaching agents used for cleaning microbes are made from ClO.
• ClO is an active component in preparation of biocide.

wood industry

For the bleaching of wood chlorine monoxide is used because it strengthens wood properties.

Semiconductor industry

• Chlorine monoxide is widely used as a mordant in semiconductor industries.
• ClO is used to mordant aluminum in metal industries.

Paper industry

ClO is used in the manufacturing of paper to whiten it.

Conclusion

Chlorine monoxide is used as a chlorinating agent and in synthesizing various chlorinated compounds. Chlorine monoxide has an unpleasant order and is highly corrosive. Chlorine monoxide decomposes at room temperature into chlorine gas easily.