A halite, also known as a halogenite, 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 + 4 ClO•2 + 2 H2O BrO−2 + HBrO3 + H+ → 2 BrO•2 + H2O This reaction in particular is used in bleach to generate chlorine dioxide.
Stability Chlorites tend to decompose rapidly, some even explosively, upon heating. A few bromites have been isolated, but no iodites have.
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