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Cou
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Found an easy way to make chlorine gas from muriatic acid and bleach
I found out you can make chlorine gas by mixing hydrochloric acid with clorox or bleach in a bottle. Since muriatic acid is more accessible from
stores than sulfuric acid, this is a great way to make it if you didn't know about it. Just pour a small amount of HCl in a bottle, crush the bottle
to get most of the air out, then pour the same amount of bleach in it. Quickly tighten the cap, shake the bottle around, and it turns green from the
gas! Just keep the cap on tight; one time I forgot to put it on, the chlorine smells horrible and I had a headache and nausea the rest of the day.
Reminded me of the city swimming pool, they put way too much chlorine in there 
I plan to do an iron and chlorine reaction with it, once I get a bunsen burner and a florence flask.
[Edited on 20-5-2013 by Cou]
[Edited on 20-5-2013 by Cou]
[Edited on 20-5-2013 by Cou]
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Mixell
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Thank you captain.
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simba
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Sorry to burst your bubble, but that really isn't anything new, you can make it from calcium hypochlorite or TCAA aswell, which is even better in
fact.
[Edited on 20-5-2013 by simba]
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Cou
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What is the balanced equation for this?
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Chemistrium
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HClO + HCl --> H2O + Cl2
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Pyro
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NaClO+2HCl->NaCl+Cl2+H2O
bleach is NaClO or sodium hypochlorite.
all above information is intellectual property of Pyro.  |
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Chemistrium
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Oops I forgot about that
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Cou
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This is really cool though... now i don't have to go to Airgas and buy chlorine! But why is it the bottle was only faint green, then when I opened it
and let the pressure out, the chlorine turned cloudy and opaque green? Also there is a solution of chlorine in water at the bottom of the bottle, but
it's probably just not coming out because the bottle is full
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woelen
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Do I understand that you prepare the chlorine in a closed bottle? Be careful with that, if you mix too much of the chemicals, you'll build up a lot of
pressure and then the bottle may explode! You do not want glass shrapnel flying around or into your head!
If you prepare chlorine, then pour some bleach in the bottle and then pour acid in the bottle and leave the bottle open. Once the production of gas
has (nearly) ceased, then cap the bottle.
The cloudiness of the chlorine on pressure release is a well-known effect. The same thing you see when you open a bottle of soda water, coca cola or
beer. The pressurized gas above the liquid expands at once and cools down. Water vapor in the gas then condenses and forms a cloud of small water
droplets.
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Finnnicus
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Woelen, the BP of chlorine is ~-34C so can you explain better (a) newb(s) like me?
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woelen
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If you have a chemical reaction in which a compound is formed, which has a boiling point (much) lower than the ambient temperature, then that compound
escapes as gas. This happens with chlorine as well. The liquid you have I expect to be somewhere around 20 C, so any chlorine which is formed escapes
as a gas.
There is a little complication here. Chlorine dissolves quite well in water. Appr. 3 liter of gas dissolves in 1 liter of water of room temperature.
The solubility in water also depends on pressure. The higher the pressure, the better the gas dissolves in water. But still, more chlorine is produced
than what can dissolve in water, and hence bubbles of gas escape from the liquid.
Another property of gasses is that when a certain amount of gas is compressed into a smaller volume, it heats up and if a certain amount of gas is
allowed to occupy a large amount of space, then it cools down. This effect occurs for all gases, it does not depend on the chemistry, but it a purely
physical phenomenon. The cooling down on expansion of the gas can be so strong that water vapor in the gas (which is present to saturation in this
chlorine experiment, but also in coca cola bottles) condenses to small droplets.
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Finnnicus
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Thank you, I did know that, but *helping!*. So the bit that confused me was the chlorine escaping from Cou's sealed bottle through this pressure
temperature mechanism reached -34C??? The ideal gas law doesn't help to much here ((gives me a temp of ~-12)though I don't know the volume of cau's
bottle)... I need to learn more!
Sorry for simple questions.
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AJKOER
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I would add a slightly more advanced comment at this point. A gas cannot only dissolve in water, it can undergo a chemical reaction, for example,
hydrolysis. In the case of chlorine, Cl2:
Cl2 + H2O <---> HCl + HOCl
that is, a reversible reaction forming Hydrochloric acid and Hypochlorous acid in the case of Chlorine water. Now, the latter acid is unstable and to
quote from Wikipedia on Hypochlorous acid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HClO):
"The presence of light or transition metal oxides of copper, nickel, or cobalt accelerates the exothermic decomposition [of Hypochlorous acid] into
hydrochloric acid and oxygen:[9]"
So in the presence of say CuO, the reaction above would no longer be reversible, and would move to the right as follows with the release of Oxygen
gas:
2 Cl2 + 2 H2O → 4 HCl + O2
Another derivative of Chlorine, Chlorine dioxide is much more soluble than Cl2, but unlike Chlorine the hydrolysis reaction is far to the left:
ClO2 + H2O <<----> HClO2 + HClO3
In other words, Chlorine dioxide is behaving more as an inert gas in water, and can, in fact, be rapidly displaced from solution with the addition of
say CO2, which is not the case for Chlorine (Source: Please see page 4-2 at http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=hydrolysis%20... )
[Edited on 21-5-2013 by AJKOER]
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Bot0nist
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Quote: Originally posted by Finnnicus  | Thank you, I did know that, but *helping!*. So the bit that confused me was the chlorine escaping from Cou's sealed bottle through this pressure
temperature mechanism reached -34C??? The ideal gas law doesn't help to much here ((gives me a temp of ~-12)though I don't know the volume of cau's
bottle)... I need to learn more!
Sorry for simple questions. |
I'm not sure if I am following you, but the chlorine is not condensing into droplets when released from pressure. The expanding gas cools down and any
mixed water vapor in the gaseous chlorine begins to form tiny aerosol. This makes the escaping gas more opaque. At least that is my simple
understanding. I highly doubt the expanding chlorine is dipping to -34C...
U.T.F.S.E. and learn the joys of autodidacticism!
Don't judge each day only by the harvest you reap, but also by the seeds you sow.
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MrHomeScientist
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Right, we aren't talking about liquid chlorine here - you'd need quite a lot more expansion (or equivalently a lot more pressure in the original
container) to lower the temperature that much. The reaction produces chlorine gas above an aqueous solution, which also means that a lot of water
vapor will be present. When these gases escape, they cool enough where the water vapor can condense into a cloud of liquid water droplets. The
chlorine probably dissolves in these to some extent, but would itself remain a gas (unless it hydrolyzes and reacts into something else).
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blogfast25
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| Quote: Originally posted by Finnnicus | The ideal gas law doesn't help to much here ((gives me a temp of ~-12)though I don't know the volume of cau's bottle)... I need to learn more!
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No, it doesn't: you're quite far removed from ideal gas conditions; low temperature with water vapour thrown in too. Only at higher temperatures would
such a mixture start behaving according to pV = nRT. Although the broad lines of gases cooling on expansion (e.g.) still hold, of course.
[Edited on 21-5-2013 by blogfast25]
[Edited on 21-5-2013 by blogfast25]
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Nitro-esteban
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I think there are 2 reactions:
NaClO + HCl = NaCl + HClO.
HClO + HCl = Cl2 + H2O.
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phlogiston
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In solution, the sodium hypochlorite is fully ionized, so for the purposes of describing the mechanism of the reaction, it does not make sense to use
'NaClO' or 'NaCl' in the equations. There is only Na<sup>+</sup> (which does not participate in the relevant reactions) and
ClO<sup>-</sup>.
However, hypochlorous acid is a weak acid, so there can be HClO in the solution (in a certain pH range).
[Edited on 28-8-2013 by phlogiston]
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"If a rocket goes up, who cares where it comes down, that's not my concern said Wernher von Braun" - Tom Lehrer |
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MrTechGuy1995
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I actually used this many times, but instead, I put a hole in the cap. Then put a small hose, preferably PP tubing so you don't get degradation.
Then I fill what ever vessel I have with the needed chlorine, and when the reaction is done, I'd cap the bottle tightly, and throw it away.
Calcium Hypochloride, or TCCA with HCl will work better.
I would recommend some kind of holder for the reaction bottle, because the bottle will like to tip over cause of the hose.
Feel free to tell me how dumb I am, or how environmental I am with how I dispose of it.
[Edited on 28-8-2013 by MrTechGuy1995]
Currently in college, studying Computer Science. Missing my home laboratory, and all the fun things I got to do. Still trying to explore the outskirts
of chemistry for curiosities sake.
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Magpie
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When stating that a gas expands when it cools some mention of the Joule-Thompson effect is in order I think since an ideal gas does not cool on
expansion. Here's an excerpt from Wiki:
Joule–Thomson effect: In thermodynamics, the Joule–Thomson effect or Joule–Kelvin effect or Kelvin–Joule effect or Joule–Thomson
expansion describes the temperature change of a gas or liquid when it is forced through a valve or porous plug while kept insulated so that no heat is
exchanged with the environment. This procedure is called a throttling process or Joule–Thomson process. At room temperature, all gases except
hydrogen, helium and neon cool upon expansion by the Joule–Thomson process. The effect is named for James Prescott Joule and William Thomson, 1st
Baron Kelvin, who discovered it in 1852 following earlier work by Joule on Joule expansion, in which a gas undergoes free expansion in a vacuum. In
the Joule experiment, the gas expands in a vacuum and the temperature drop of the system is zero, if the gas were ideal. The throttling process is of
the highest technical importance. It is at the heart of thermal machines such as refrigerators, air conditioners, heat pumps, and liquefiers.
Furthermore, throttling is a fundamentally irreversible process. The throttling due to the flow resistance in supply lines, heat exchangers,
regenerators, and other components of (thermal) machines is a source of losses that limits the performance.
The single most important condition for a successful synthesis is good mixing - Nicodem
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AJKOER
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Actually, here is a more useful way (actually, it makes the so-called bleach battery that you can use to produce electricity as well) to make some
Chlorine. Steps:
1. Mix bleach (NaOCl) and vinegar (which contains Acetic acid HAc) in the volume ratio 1.4 parts of 5% vinegar to one part of 8.25% extra strength
chlorine bleach.
2. Add a piece of copper metal which will function as the cathode.
3. Add an Aluminum source to act as the anode (finely cut up Al foil, for example, will also work).
4. Add a touch of sea salt (better than NaCl) to act as the electrolyte to get things started.
My take on the chemistry:
The creation of Hypochlorous acid:
NaOCl + HAc --> HOCl + NaAC
And, on the major electrochemical reactions:
H2O <--> H3O + OH-
At anode: Al + 3OH- ⇒ Al(OH)3 + 3e-
At the cathode (copper):
3 HOCl + 3 H3O+ + 3 e- ⇒ 3/2 Cl2(g) + 3 H2O
for an implied net reaction of:
3 HOCl + Al --> Al(OH)3 (s) + 3/2 Cl2 (g) Eo net = 3.93 V
This battery cell is theoretically capable of generating 3.93 volts.
Reference: see http://www.exo.net/~pauld/saltwater/ and http://sci-toys.com/scitoys/scitoys/echem/batteries/batterie... and also http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/d019917.pdf
There are also many side reactions. For safety, however, it should be noted that in addition to the toxic/corrosive Chlorine gas, in the case of the
use of an excess of Aluminum, some explosive hydrogen gas can also be formed (in about a day) as the protective Al2O3 coating is attacked in a salt
solution permitting the reaction:
2 Al + 6 H2O --> 2 Al(OH)3 + 3 H2 (g)
[Edited on 28-8-2013 by AJKOER]
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Cou
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| Quote: Originally posted by AJKOER | Actually, here is a more useful way (actually, it makes the so-called bleach battery that you can use to produce electricity as well) to make some
Chlorine. Steps:
1. Mix bleach (NaOCl) and vinegar (which contains Acetic acid HAc) in the volume ratio 1.4 parts of 5% vinegar to one part of 8.25% extra strength
chlorine bleach.
2. Add a piece of copper metal which will function as the cathode.
3. Add an Aluminum source to act as the anode (finely cut up Al foil, for example, will also work).
4. Add a touch of sea salt (better than NaCl) to act as the electrolyte to get things started.
My take on the chemistry:
The creation of Hypochlorous acid:
NaOCl + HAc --> HOCl + NaAC
And, on the major electrochemical reactions:
H2O <--> H3O + OH-
At anode: Al + 3OH- ⇒ Al(OH)3 + 3e-
At the cathode (copper):
3 HOCl + 3 H3O+ + 3 e- ⇒ 3/2 Cl2(g) + 3 H2O
for an implied net reaction of:
3 HOCl + Al --> Al(OH)3 (s) + 3/2 Cl2 (g) Eo net = 3.93 V
This battery cell is theoretically capable of generating 3.93 volts.
Reference: http://sci-toys.com/scitoys/scitoys/echem/batteries/batterie...
See also http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/d019917.pdf
There are also many side reactions. For safety, however, it should be noted that in addition to the toxic/corrosive Chlorine gas, in the case of the
use of an excess of Aluminum, some explosive hydrogen gas can also be formed (in about a day) as the protective Al2O3 coating is attacked in a salt
solution permitting the reaction:
2 Al + 6 H2O --> 2 Al(OH)3 + 3 H2 (g)
[Edited on 28-8-2013 by AJKOER] |
If this doesn't use a battery, would I just connect the copper and aluminum electrodes with a wire, and it works automatically? And do you collect the
chlorine by putting the copper electrode under an upside down jar filled with water?
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Cou
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Also can i use glacial acetic acid>
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AJKOER
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To be honest, while having performed the above experiment with Aluminum flakes, I did not use a solid Al anode with wires connected.
Sadly, I do not have the equipment to test current output from the hypochlorite Aluminum/Copper battery.
As a point of information, I did test the formation of H2 gas with excess use of Aluminum with a flame and was greeted with a loud retort (and, on
another occasion a retort and a hot blue flame). Apparently, as it is well know, H2 and Cl2 (or O2) can form a kinetically powerful explosion. If you
decide to test the gas mixture similarly, take safety precautions.
Also, while there are demonstrations of a uv light initiated explosion of H2 and Cl2 on the web, fortunately per my research, this is not too likely
here (well, at least, in my humble opinion) as any O2 presence has a powerful spoiling effect on a light initiated detonation. It may be possible,
however, that one could open a closed reaction vessel and vent out all air leaving just the heavy Cl2 gas and reseal allowing further H2 generation.
However, any significant O2 formation via the photolysis of Hypochlorous acid via:
2 HOCl --> 2 HCl + O2
could again present a spoiling issue. Ignoring this, in a very thin walled transparent container, uv rays may be able to cause an explosion.
---------------------------------------------
Hypochlorous acid is formed by the action of a weak acid (like Acetic, Boric, or even slowly with H2CO3), or with a very dilute mineral acid. Also,
per the author in my first reference, even very small concentrations of HOCl found in Bleach will react. As such, focus on weak acids as strong acid
form Cl2 gas with Chlorine bleach (which contain NaOCl/NaCl... as a result of the formation of the hypochlorite by the action of Cl2 on hot
concentrated aqueous NaOH) via the reaction sequence, for example with concentrated Sulfuric acid:
NaOCl + H2SO4 --> NaHSO4 + HOCl
NaCl + H2SO4 --> NaHSO4 + HCl
HCl + HOCl = Cl2 + H2O
[Edited on 29-8-2013 by AJKOER]
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Cou
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I don't think that would work because chlorine is so soluble in water, compared to air, so the chlorine bubbles would dissolve in the liquid before
they got to the top of the test tube. Depends on how fast the chlorine is created, so it has time to rise before it dissolves.
Does the aluminum have to be finely cut up, or can you use one giant aluminum electrode
[Edited on 1-9-2013 by Cou]
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