Cl02 is a chemically reactive oxidant with powerful bactericidal properties, and has been successfully employed as a deodorizing and bleaching agent: also for water disinfection.

ClO2; bleaching agent; main bleaching chemical in modern alkaline pulping process.

(ClO2) replaces elemental chlorine in ECF bleaching.

ClO2, a radical, undergoes photodecomposition in the stratosphere where the products of this reaction react with ozone. Since this is a photochemical reaction it only takes place while the sun is up. Experiments over Antarctica have shown a direct relation between polar ozone loss and the increase in halocarbon chemistry, which comes from anthropogenic sources. Scientist are currently looking at the molecular behavior of chlorine dioxide in the atmosphere in order to understand its role in depletion of ozone more thoroughly. [Simon, J. D. and Vaida, V. The Photoreactivity of Chlorine Dioxide. Science v 268; p. 1443-1448; 1995.

Yellow gas in solution as a bleaching agent.

A chemical that has widely replaced elemental chlorine gas as a bleaching agent in pulp mills, resulting in a drastic reduction in the amount of dioxin produced.

Chlorine dioxide is the chemical compound with the formula ClO2. This reddish-yellow gas that crystallizes as orange crystals at −59 °C. As one of several oxides of chlorine, it is a potent and useful oxidizing agent used in water treatment and in bleaching.