Sodium hypochlorite is a chemical compound with the formula NaClO. It is composed of a sodium cation  and a hypochlorite anion ; it may also be viewed as the sodium salt of hypochlorous acid. When dissolved in water it is commonly known as bleach, or liquid bleach. Sodium hypochlorite is practically and chemically distinct from chlorine. Sodium hypochlorite is frequently used as a disinfectant or a bleaching agent.