Chlorite ion (ClO₂⁻)
- Charge
- −1
- Atoms
- Cl, O × 2
- Atoms in total
- 3
- Mass of the ion
- 67.448 g/mol
Chlorite is one chlorine atom bonded to two oxygen atoms, with a 1− charge. It is the anion of chlorous acid, HClO₂, and its chlorine is in the +3 oxidation state. Sodium chlorite is used to bleach textiles and to make chlorine dioxide for disinfecting drinking water.
- The -ite ending means one oxygen fewer than chlorate, ClO₃⁻, while hypochlorite, ClO⁻, has one fewer again.
- Chlorite, ClO₂⁻, is easy to confuse with chlorine dioxide, ClO₂, which has the same atoms but no charge.
- Sodium chlorite, NaClO₂, is the most widely used chlorite salt.
Compounds that contain chlorite
NaClO2 Sodium chlorite
KClO2 Potassium chlorite