Stability of Chlorite in Dilute Acid Solutions

Six chlorites representing 5 species were suspended in 0.01M MgCl 2 solutions with different concentrations of HCl. In 10 ‐4 N HCl solutions a final steady pH of 8 to 9 was reached quickly with the Mg‐rich chlorites and more slowly with Fe‐rich species. The evidence showed that Mg‐Al and Mg‐Fe double hydroxides controlled the pH in these suspensions. In 10 ‐2 N HCl solutions, the chlorites remained at pH values of 3 to 4 for periods up to 6 months. On the basis of direct titrations it was concluded that precipitation of Fe‐ and Al‐hydroxides buffered the pH at 3 to 5 and that the precipitate impeded H uptake and Mg release.