Question detail
What is produced when chlorine undergoes disproportionation in an alkaline solution?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Group 7(17), the halogens
Question
- A. Chloride ions and hypochlorite ions.
- B. Chlorate ions and chloride ions.
- C. Chlorine gas and hydroxide ions.
- D. Chlorine and water.
Answer
Chloride ions and hypochlorite ions.
Explanation
In an alkaline solution, chlorine undergoes disproportionation to form chloride ions (Cl-) and hypochlorite ions (ClO-). This reaction is important in the context of water treatment and disinfection processes.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Disproportionation
Students often confuse disproportionation reactions with simple redox reactions, failing to recognize that in disproportionation, the same element is both oxidized and reduced.
To clarify, remember that in a disproportionation reaction, such as chlorine reacting with water, chlorine is oxidized to form chloride ions and reduced to form hypochlorous acid. Write the half-equations to show the oxidation and reduction processes clearly.
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