Sodium hypochlorite and alkyl benzene sulfonic acid

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Mixing 7% Sodium Hypochlorite with alkyl benzene sulfonic acid poses significant risks, primarily the potential release of chlorine gas when the pH drops below 7. This reaction can occur if the acid is present in excess, especially with strong acids like tosyl acid. The discussion highlights that while bleach and detergent are generally safe to mix, the higher concentration of sodium hypochlorite (7% compared to the typical 3%) increases the danger. Users are advised to avoid this mixture due to the risk of producing harmful gases, including dichlorine monoxide, which is also toxic and irritating. Caution is emphasized, suggesting the use of a fume hood if mixing is unavoidable.
RStone
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Hello, wondering if anyone can confirm if 7% Sodium Hypochlorite and alkyl benzene sulfonic acid are compatible to mix together? Any concerns or reactions to be aware of?
 
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Bleach and detergent - not a problem.
 
RStone said:
Hello, wondering if anyone can confirm if 7% Sodium Hypochlorite and alkyl benzene sulfonic acid are compatible to mix together? Any concerns or reactions to be aware of?
.Scott said:
Bleach and detergent - not a problem.
Possibly a big problem. Something like tosyl acid (pKa < 0) is acidic enough that, mixed in excess with hypochlorite, can shift the pH to < 7, producing chlorine gas. I recommend a fume hood if this reaction is unavoidable.
 
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Dipped my sponge in dishwater that had a little bleach added then scrubbed counter with a little Comet. After coughing and wondering if scented laundry sanitizer had caused the irritation in my lungs, I took zinc, quercetin and mullein and READ INGREDIENT list on Comet then visited duсоduсkgo.соm and this site. I'd avoid repeating.
 
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7% sodium hypochlorite is more concentrated than the typical grocery store 3% or so concentration. The sulfonic acid is or is approximately a strong acid . DO NOT mix these! Possibly chlorine gas to be produced!
 
TeethWhitener said:
Possibly a big problem. Something like tosyl acid (pKa < 0) is acidic enough that, mixed in excess with hypochlorite, can shift the pH to < 7, producing chlorine gas.
Or dichlorine monoxide - remember that getting chlorine from hypochlorite requires reducer. But dichlorine monoxide is also poisonous and irritating.
Chlorine may react with alkylbenzene sulphonic acid, either at alkyl group or aromatic ring. But both are fairly inert groups - alkyl group inherently, aromatic ring because sulphonic acid is deactivating substituent - so I would not count on the organics scrubbing the chlorine/dichlorine monoxide.
 
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