Hypochlorite
Hypochlorous Acid

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypochlorite

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypochlorous_acid

..

REDOX
Hypochlorite
Hypochlorous Acid

Biosynthesis of Organochlorine Compounds:

Acidification of hypochlorites generates hypochlorous acid, which exists in an equilibrium with chlorine. A high pH drives the reaction.

As Oxidizing Agents:

Hypochlorite is the strongest oxidizing agent of the chlorine oxyanions. This can be seen by comparing the standard half cell potentials across the series; the data also shows that the chlorine oxyanions are stronger oxidizers in acidic conditions.

Chloroperoxidases are enzymes that catalyzes the chlorination of organic compounds. This enzyme combines the inorganic substrates chloride and hydrogen peroxide to produce the equivalent of Cl+, which replaces a proton in hydrocarbon substrate.

Immune Response:

In response to infection, the human immune system generates minute quantities of hypochlorite within special white blood cells, called neutrophil granulocytes. These granulocytes engulf viruses and bacteria in an intracellular vacuole called the phagosome, where they are digested.

Part of the digestion mechanism involves an enzyme-mediated respiratory burst, which produces reactive oxygen-derived compounds, including superoxide (produced by NADPH oxidase). Superoxide decays to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, which is used in a myeloperoxidase-catalysed reaction to convert chloride to hypochlorite.

Low concentrations of hypochlorite were also found to interact with a microbe's heat shock proteins, stimulating their role as intra-cellular chaperone and causing the bacteria to form into clumps (much like an egg that has been boiled) that will eventually die off.

The same study found that low (micromolar) hypochlorite levels induce E. coli and Vibrio cholerae to activate a protective mechanism, although its implications were not clear.

The base acidity of hypochlorite compromises a bacterium's lipid membrane, a reaction similar to popping a balloon.

As Oxidizing Agents:

Hypochlorite is the strongest oxidizing agent of the chlorine oxyanions. This can be seen by comparing the standard half cell potentials across the series; the data also shows that the chlorine oxyanions are stronger oxidizers in acidic conditions.

Biosynthesis of Organochlorine Compounds:

Hypochlorous acid is found naturally in white blood cells of mammals, including the human body. It is non-toxic and has been used as a safe wound care solution for many years.

When dissolved in water, hypochlorous acid water has been found to have strong disinfection properties. Given this and its non-toxicity, it has been identified as a useful cleaning agent and sanitizer.

Mode of disinfectant action:

E. coli exposed to hypochlorous acid lose viability in less than 0.1 seconds due to inactivation of many vital systems.

In organic synthesis, HClO converts alkenes to chlorohydrins.

In biology, hypochlorous acid is generated in activated neutrophils by myeloperoxidase-mediated peroxidation of chloride ions, and contributes to the destruction of bacteria.

The cause of death may be due to metabolic dysfunction caused by depletion of adenine nucleotides.

Inhibition of DNA replication:

Recently it has been proposed that bacterial inactivation by HOCl is the result of inhibition of DNA replication. When bacteria are exposed to HOCl, there is a precipitous decline in DNA synthesis that precedes inhibition of protein synthesis, and closely parallels loss of viability.

Protein unfolding and aggregation:

HOCl is known to cause post-translational modifications to proteins, the notable ones being cysteine and methionine oxidation.