Halite (oxyanion) explained

A halite, also known as a halogenite,^[1] is an oxyanion containing a halogen in a III oxidation state. It is the conjugate base of a halous acid. The known halites are chlorite, bromite, and iodite.

Uses

Halites can be used to generate the respective halogen dioxides via a one-electron oxidation:

5 NaClO₂ + 4 HCl → 5 NaCl + 4  + 2 H₂O

+ HBrO₃ + H⁺ → 2  + H₂OThis reaction in particular is used in bleach to generate chlorine dioxide.

Stability

Chlorites tend to decompose rapidly, some even explosively, upon heating.^[2] A few bromites have been isolated, but no iodites have.^[3]

Notes and References

1. Book: Holleman . A. F. . Wiberg . Egon . Wiberg . Nils . Inorganic Chemistry . 2001 . Academic Press . Web . 9780123526519 . 439 . 21 March 2019 . en.
2. Book: Holleman . A. F. . Wiberg . Egon . Wiberg . Nils . Inorganic Chemistry . 2001 . Academic Press . Web . 9780123526519 . 445 . 21 March 2019 . en.
3. Egon Wiberg, Arnold Frederick Holleman (2001) Inorganic Chemistry, Elsevier