Question

If chlorine gas is passed through hot and conc. aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, the products formed have chlorine in different oxidation states. These oxidation states are indicated as:

Options

• −1 and +5

• −1 and +3

• −1 and +1

• +1 and +5

Answer 1

−1 and +5

Explanation:

When chlorine gas reacts with hot, concentrated NaOH, a disproportionation reaction occurs:

\[\ce{3Cl2 + 6NaOH -> 5NaCl + NaClO3 + 3H2O}\]

In NaCl, chlorine is in the −1 oxidation state.

In NaClO₃, chlorine is in the +5 oxidation state.

Thus, the two oxidation states of chlorine in the products are −1 and +5.