Ask A Scientist Chemistry Archive

name         Kathy J.
status       educator
age          40s

Question -   What is the balanced chemical equation for the volatile
reaction
of chlorine bleach and ammonia?  My students are preparing
presentations, and we cannot find the complete equation anywhere.

I know toxic chloramine gas is produced.
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The reactions are:
NH3 + OCl(-) ------> NH2Cl + OH(-)
NH2Cl + OCl(-) ------> NHCl2 + OH(-)
NHCl2 + OCl(-) ------> NCl3 + OH(-)

Nitrogen trichloride is a yellow oil: m.p.= -40 C; b.p. = 71 C
Very toxic as are all the other nitrogen hydrochlorides.
NCl3 is explosive when exposed to sunlight.

Vince Calder
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HOCl + NH3 --> H2O + NH2Cl

Richard E. Barrans Jr., Ph.D.
Assistant Director
PG Research Foundation, Darien, Illinois
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