[huskywolf]

Hi, I have to find out what is oxidised and what is reduced in the follow reaction:

3Cl₂ + 6OH^- = ClO₃^- +5Cl^- + 3H₂O

I can see that Cl a negative charge on the RHS (5)-1 , but it must also have had 5 electrons taken from it by O on the RHS also if the charge ib ClO₃ is - .

Can someone explain whats going on here?
I think Cl was reduced ? But what was oxidised?

[opti384]

If you want to determine whether an element was oxidized or reduced, you should look at the change in the oxidization number.

[huskywolf]

Hi, I have to find out what is oxidised and what is reduced in the follow reaction:

3Cl₂ + 6OH^- = ClO₃^- 5Cl^- + 3H₂O

I can see that Cl a negative charge on the RHS (5)-1 , but it must also have had 5 electrons taken from it by O on the RHS also if the charge ib ClO₃ is - .

Can someone explain whats going on here?
I think Cl was reduced ? But what was oxidised?

[huskywolf]

I forgot to add ClO₃^- , now its much more complicated help please..

[Borek]

Assign oxidation numbers to all elements in ALL compounds.

[huskywolf]

Assign oxidation numbers to all elements in ALL compounds.

Ok thanks, so...

On LHS   3Cl₂= 0 charge,               O=   (6)(-2)+ H =(6)(1) so -6 charge on LHS.

On RHS     ClO₃^- =Cl(+5) 3O(-6) = -1, and 5Cl(-1) = -5, and 3H₂O has neutral charge, 6H(+6) 3O(-6).

it seems that Cl has both gained 5 e and lost 5 e on the RHS please help         

[huskywolf]

My verdict is Oxygen is oxidised and Cl is reduced.
Is it true?

[Borek]

it seems that Cl has both gained 5 e and lost 5 e on the RHS please help

Correct.

My verdict is Oxygen is oxidised and Cl is reduced.

No, oxygen is untouched.

You get it right earlier - chlorine is BOTH oxidized and reduced, this is called disproportionation reaction.

[huskywolf]

it seems that Cl has both gained 5 e and lost 5 e on the RHS please help

Correct.

My verdict is Oxygen is oxidised and Cl is reduced.

No, oxygen is untouched.

You get it right earlier - chlorine is BOTH oxidized and reduced, this is called disproportionation reaction.

Great, thank you