ClO2 is a water soluble gas
Although chlorinedioxide in itself is a gas, it is highly soluble in water. When both air and water are present, ClO2 is distributed between the two phases in an equilibrium ratio determined by the temperature.

ClO2 gas does not necessarily penetrate viruses to inactivate them. ClO2 reacts with one or more of the cysteine, tyrosine, and tryptophan amino acid residues of the spike proteins located on the enveloped viral surface. In the case of nonenveloped viruses, ClO2 acts on the viral genome.

Spike proteins contain tyrosine, tryptophan, and cysteine residues with which the disinfectant can easily react in an aqueous solution with rapid virus inactivation

Sanekata et al. evaluated the antiviral activity of ClO2 and sodium hypochlorite against human influenza virus (IFV). ClO2 reduced influenza viruses by 99.9% at 1.0 ppm ….

The H1N1 virus is effectively inactivated by chlorine dioxide.

Moreover, ClO2 is the most-used disinfectant for drinking water treatment, and its efficacy may be achieved by the routine of continuous water chlorination, as described elsewhere (0.2 mg/L of chlorine dioxide).

Similar results have been obtained for respiratory transmitted virus elimination. In particular, 0.5–1.0 mg/L of ClO2 for less than 5 min can reduce influenza viruses by 99.9% (the H1N1 virus included).

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/8/1017

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