In basic solution, Cl₂ disproponates to?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

DSSSB PGT Chemistry (Female) Official Paper (Held On: 06 Jul, 2018 Shift 1)

Answer 1

CONCEPT:

Disproportionation Reaction

A disproportionation reaction is a type of redox reaction in which the same element undergoes both oxidation and reduction simultaneously.
In a basic solution, chlorine (Cl₂) can disproportionate to form different chlorine-containing compounds with varying oxidation states.
The oxidation states of chlorine in Cl₂, ClO^-, and Cl^- are 0, +1, and -1, respectively.

EXPLANATION:

In a basic solution, chlorine gas (Cl₂) disproportionates according to the following reaction:
Cl₂ + 2OH^- → ClO^- + Cl^- + H₂O
In this reaction:
- One molecule of Cl₂ is reduced to Cl^- (oxidation state changes from 0 to -1).
- Another molecule of Cl₂ is oxidized to ClO^- (oxidation state changes from 0 to +1).
Thus, chlorine undergoes disproportionation to form hypochlorite (ClO^-) and chloride (Cl^-) ions in a basic solution.

Therefore, the correct answer is ClO^- and Cl^-.