They are good bleachingagents and disinfectants due to their oxidizing potency. Hypochlorites can be employed in organic chemistry to oxidize primary alcohols into carboxylic acids.
<h3>What function does hypochlorite serve as an oxidizer?</h3>
In this experiment, we utilize the test paper to make sure that the reaction has received more bleach than is necessary to completely oxidize the alcohol.
Since the process moves forward more quickly in an acidic environment, hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is assumed to be the real oxidizing agent (although this is not confirmed).
Bleach, also known as sodium hypochlorite, is most usually used as a disinfectant. It is a multipurpose disinfectant that kills mycobacterium, bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms.