Dióxido de cloro

Wood-pulp bleaching is the largest use of chlorine dioxide, which is a uniquely selective oxidizer for lignin. In general, the trend in the pulp industry has been to eliminate chlorine and hypochochlorite as bleaching agents and replace them with chlorine dioxide. Since chlorine dioxide functions via an oxidative reaction rather than a chlorinating reaction, the formation of chlorinated organic compounds is limited. Also, unlike other oxidizing agents, chlorine dioxide does not attack cellulose, and thus preserves the mechanical properties of bleached pulp. In the final stages of the pulp-bleaching processes, chlorine dioxide is the most frequently used bleaching chemical. A unique whiteness can be achieved using chlorine dioxide in kraft pulp, sulfite pulp, and soda pulp processes. In the United States, the firststage of the pulp-bleaching process makes use of mixtures of chlorine and chlorine dioxide to reduce the formation of organic chlorine compounds (EPA 2002c; Kaczur and Cawlfield 1993; Vogt et al. 1986).In the textile industry, chlorine dioxide is used as a bleaching agent and produces high-quality textile fibers with additional qualities. For example, “shrinkproof” wool owes its qualities to the reaction of chlorine dioxide with the cross-linking sulfur atoms of the wool.
Chlorine dioxide,CI02, is a yellow-reddish gas.It is a very effective bleaching and water treatment agent. Chlorine dioxide is preparedby the reaction of chlorine and sodium chlorite. It is quite unstable and is commonly prepared immediately before use.