Hypohalite

A hypohalite is an oxyanion containing a halogen in oxidation state +1.

This includes hypoiodite, hypobromite and hypochlorite. In hypofluorite (oxyfluoride) the fluorine atom is in a −1 oxidation state.

Hypohalites are also encountered in organic chemistry, often as acyl hypohalites (see the Hunsdiecker reaction).

Sodium hypohalite is used in the haloform reaction as a test for methyl ketones.