SODIUM CHLORITE
New specifications prepared at the 68th JECFA (2007) and published in FAO JECFA Monographs 4 (2007). An ADI of 0.03 mg/kg bw for
chlorite was established at the 68th JECFA (2007).
SYNONYMS Chlorous acid sodium salt
DEFINITION Sodium chlorite is manufactured by first reducing, chemically or electrochemically, sodium chlorate, in the presence of hydrochloric
acid, to produce chlorine dioxide. The chlorine dioxide is then reduced with hydrogen peroxide in a sodium hydroxide solution to yield a solution containing 30 to 50 percent sodium chlorite, which can be dried to give a solid with ca. 80% sodium chlorite.
Alternatively, chlorine dioxide may be obtained by reacting together sodium chlorate, hydrogen peroxide, and sulfuric acid. The chlorine dioxide is then reduced with hydrogen peroxide in sodium hydroxide solution to yield a solution of sodium chlorite, which can be neutralized with sulfuric acid. The resulting solution may be dried to a solid and the sodium chlorite content may be adjusted to ca. 80% by the addition of sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, or sodium carbonate. Sodium chlorite is marketed as a solid or an aqueous solution.
C.A.S. number 7758-19-2
Chemical formula NaClO2
Formula weight 90.44
Assay 79-86%
DESCRIPTION White crystalline powder, solutions can be colourless to greenish yellow
FUNCTIONAL USES Antimicrobial agent (for use in antimicrobial washing solutions)
