Question

A reaction that is used to make ClO2 is:HCl + NaOCl +2NaClO2 2ClO2 + 2NaCl + NaOHa) Which element is oxidized? b) Which element is reduced? c) Which substance is the oxidizing agent and which is the reducing agent?

Answer 1

In the reaction, chlorine from NaClO2 is oxidized (going from +3 to +4 oxidation state), whereas chlorine from NaOCl is reduced (going from +1 to -1 oxidation state). NaOCl serves as the oxidizing agent, and NaClO2 as the reducing agent.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine which element is oxidized and which is reduced in the reaction HCl + NaOCl + 2NaClO2 → 2ClO2 + 2NaCl + NaOH, we need to examine the changes in oxidation numbers of the elements involved.

a) The element that is oxidized is chlorine (Cl) in NaClO2 since its oxidation number increases from +3 in NaClO2 to +4 in ClO2.

b) The element that is reduced is also chlorine (Cl), but from NaOCl, where its oxidation number decreases from +1 in NaOCl to -1 in NaCl.

c) The oxidizing agent is NaOCl as it contains the chlorine that gets reduced, while the reducing agent is NaClO2 because it donates the electrons needed for the oxidation of chlorine within its molecule.

Answer 2

Given the following reaction:

`\text{HCl + NaOCl + 2NaClO}_2\text{ }\rightarrow2ClO_2\text{ + 2NaCl + NaOH}`

We want to know the element oxidized, the element reduced and the substance that is the oxidizing agent and a reducing agent.

Answer:

a) Element Oxidized = Na

b) Element reduced = Cl

c) NaClO is an oxidizing agent and HCl is a reducing agent.