Sodium hypochlorate has formed a dark brown precipitate?

[ChromeBit]

I boiled a solution of sodium hypochlorate down to make what I thought was sodium chloride and sodium chlorate - a light brown coloured powder.

However, this evening when I looked at it again it had formed a darker brown powder that was almost like soil with a few white clumps here and there. The way it clumps together almost makes it appear wet, but I'm pretty sure it isn't because when I touch it it feels dry.

Any ideas what's happened here?

 

[Borek]

Are you sure there were no contaminants in the solution? In general all salts involved are just white.

 

[DrDu]

You mean hypochlorite, maybe?

 

[Kevin McHugh]

What material did you boil it down in?

You mean hypochlorite, maybe?

If he meant that, then chlorate is three oxidation states higher. Where is the oxidizing agent?

 

[Borek]

Where is the oxidizing agent?

It is there. It is called hypochlorite.

 

[Kevin McHugh]

I boiled a solution of sodium hypochlorate down to make what I thought was sodium chloride and sodium chlorate - a light brown coloured powder.

What is hypochlorate? I think hypochlorite is his starting material.

 

[Borek]

Yes, this is most likely a typo (actually quite a common error), and the solution contains hypochlorite. And the hypochlorite is the oxidizing agent.

 

[Kevin McHugh]

Yes, this is most likely a typo (actually quite a common error), and the solution contains hypochlorite. And the hypochlorite is the oxidizing agent.

OK then what is getting reduced?

 

[Borek]

Hypochlorite as well.