An Fe^(2+) salt is oxidized by elemental chlorine. What occurs to chlorine in this reaction?

"A. Chlorine is oxidized;"
"B. Chlorine is reduced;"
"C. Chlorine disproportionates;"
"D. Chlorine is neither oxidized nor reduced."

1 Answer
anor277
Apr 21, 2017

"Option B"

Explanation:

Formally, reduction is the GAIN of electrons, and a net DECREASE in oxidation number........

Dichlorine oxidizes the Fe(II) centre to Fe(III), but is itself REDUCED in the process, as it is conceived to accept electrons from the iron centre.

stackrel(0)Cl_2+2e^(-)rarr2stackrel(-I)Cl

The zerovalent element is reduced to the univalent anion.........

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