Dear Jean K. Tak,

IMHO, main reaction is 2NaClO → 2NaCl + O2.

Reaction you mentioned above is side reaction.

Best regards,

Taras Mika

Dear Dr. Mika

Thank you very much for your kind reply.

Your answer proves that I am not wrong.

Could I ask for the bibliographic information of literature or textbook materials that state that 2NaClO → 2NaCl + O2 is the main reaction?

Most of the literature I can find, including the EU Risk assessment report, does not mention the decomposition product (2NaCl + O2) as the main reaction.

This is a logical battle with the competent authorities in Korea, so a clear source is needed.

Dear Jean K. Tak

Decomposition of hypochlorites depends on reaction conditions.

In strongly acidic solutions (pH ≤ 3) and at room temperature the decomposition to Cl2, O2 and H2O predominates:

4HClO → 2Cl2 + O2 + 2H2O

In slightly acidic and neutral solutions (pH 3-7.5) the reaction occurs:

2HClO → 2HCl + O2

In close to a neutral solutions, hypochlorites disproportionate to chlorides and chlorates, the reaction proceeds slowly at room temperature and accelerates when heated. At temperatures above 70 °C this reaction becomes predominant - this is used as an industrial method for producing chlorates:

3ClO- → ClO3- + 2Cl-

Read, please, the following paper:

Article Decomposition of sodium hypochlorite: the uncatalyzed reaction

EU Risk assessment report can mention only safety risk compounds. I don't know, actually. If all the statements (including mechanisms) and rules are mentioned there, so...)

Best regards,