ABSTRACT
There are only three oxyanions that form anhydrous salts: chlorites ( ), chlorates ( ), and perchlorates ( ). Their stability increases with the increasing oxidation state of the halogen. There is no clear evidence for the existence of stoichiometric, anhydrous hypochlorites (ClO
). Even for the few reported salts (NaClO, Ca(ClO)
) one finds reports of “smell of chlorine,” indicating continuous decomposition at ambient temperature.
