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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: rocky on December 01, 2007, 08:42:40 PM

Title: Reaction : Cl2 and H2O
Post by: rocky on December 01, 2007, 08:42:40 PM
Having some problems with the reaction between chlorine and water:
so far I know :

Cl2 + H2O = HCl + H+ + Cl-

This is a redox reaction, right? So what I'm trying to find are the two half reactions.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks




Title: Re: Reaction : Cl2 and H2O
Post by: Sev on December 01, 2007, 10:35:30 PM
Quote
Cl2 + H2O = HCl + H+ + Cl-

Isn't rxn: Cl2 + H2O → HOCl + HCl ?
In fact, HOCl may decompose in sunlight: so O2 could also be a product (could someone verify this).
Title: Re: Reaction : Cl2 and H2O
Post by: agrobert on December 01, 2007, 11:26:59 PM
This is a disproportionation reaction as Sev wrote.  The oxidation state of Cl2 (0) is conserved as HCl (Cl = -1) and HOCl (Cl = +1)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disproportionation

(1) Cl2 + H2O → HOCl + HCl

Then in sunlight decomposition occurs

(2) 2 HOCl → 2 HCl + O2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypochlorite