The main application of sodium chlorite is the generation of
chlorine dioxide for bleaching and stripping of
textiles,
pulp, and paper. It is also used for disinfection of municipal water treatment plants after conversion to chlorine dioxide. An advantage in this application, as compared to the more commonly used chlorine, is that
trihalomethanes (such as
chloroform) are not produced from organic contaminants. Sodium chlorite, NaClO2, sometimes in combination with
zinc chloride, also finds application as a component in therapeutic rinses, mouthwashes,
toothpastes and gels, mouth sprays, as preservative in eye drops, and in contact lens cleaning solution under the trade name Purite. It is also used for sanitizing air ducts and HVAC/R systems and animal containment areas (walls, floors, and other surfaces).
Chemical reagent In
organic synthesis, sodium chlorite is frequently used as a reagent in the
Pinnick oxidation for the oxidation of
aldehydes to
carboxylic acids. The reaction is usually performed in
monosodium phosphate buffered solution in the presence of a chlorine scavenger (usually
2-methyl-2-butene). In 2005, sodium chlorite was used as an oxidizing agent to convert alkyl furans to the corresponding 4-oxo-2-alkenoic acids in a simple one pot synthesis.
Acidified sodium chlorite Mixing sodium chlorite solution with a weak food-grade acid solution (commonly
citric acid), both stable, produces short-lived acidified sodium chlorite (ASC) which has potent decontaminating properties. Upon mixing the main active ingredient,
chlorous acid is produced in equilibrium with chlorite anion. The proportion varies with pH, temperature, and other factors, ranging from approximately 5–35%
chlorous acid with 65–95%
chlorite; more acidic solutions result in a higher proportion of chlorous acid. Chlorous acid breaks down to
chlorine dioxide which in turn breaks down to chlorite anion and ultimately chloride anion. ASC is used for sanitation of the hard surfaces which come in contact with food and as a wash or rinse for a variety of foods including red meat, poultry, seafood, fruits and vegetables. Because the oxo-chlorine compounds are unstable when properly prepared, there should be no measurable residue on food if treated appropriately. ASC also is used as a teat dip for control of
mastitis in dairy cattle.
Use in public crises The
U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center produced a portable "no power required" method of generating chlorine dioxide gas (
ClO2), a compound described as being one of the best
biocides available for combating contaminants ranging from benign microbes and food pathogens to Category A
Bioterror agents. In the weeks after the
9/11 attacks when
anthrax was sent in letters to public officials, hazardous materials teams used
ClO2 to decontaminate the Hart Senate Office Building, and the Brentwood Postal Facility. In addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has posted a list of many
disinfectants that meet its criteria for use in environmental measures against the causative
coronavirus. Some are based on sodium chlorite that is activated into
chlorine dioxide, though differing formulations are used in each product. Many other products on the EPA list contain
sodium hypochlorite, which is similar in name but should not be confused with sodium chlorite because they have very different modes of chemical action. ==Safety==