Halite (oxyanion)
{{Short description|Class of anions}}
File:Chlorite-3D-vdW.png ({{chem2|ClO2-}}), a halite]]
A halite, also known as a halogenite,{{cite book |last1=Holleman |first1=A. F. |last2=Wiberg |first2=Egon |last3=Wiberg |first3=Nils |title=Inorganic Chemistry |date=2001 |publisher=Academic Press |location=Web |isbn=9780123526519 |page=439 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mtth5g59dEIC&pg=PA439 |accessdate=21 March 2019 |language=en}} is an oxyanion containing a halogen in a +3 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 + Chlorine dioxide + 2 H2O
:Bromite + HBrO3 + H+ → Bromine dioxide + H2O
This reaction in particular is used in bleach to generate chlorine dioxide.
Stability
Chlorites tend to decompose rapidly, some even explosively, upon heating.{{cite book |last1=Holleman |first1=A. F. |last2=Wiberg |first2=Egon |last3=Wiberg |first3=Nils |title=Inorganic Chemistry |date=2001 |publisher=Academic Press |location=Web |isbn=9780123526519 |page=445 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mtth5g59dEIC&pg=PA445 |accessdate=21 March 2019 |language=en}} A few bromites have been isolated, but no iodites have.Egon Wiberg, Arnold Frederick Holleman (2001) Inorganic Chemistry, Elsevier {{ISBN|0-12-352651-5}}