Question

How would you write the balanced equation for the reaction of elemental chlorine with liquid water?

Answer 1

Chlorine gas disproportionates in water.

Explanation:

Chlorine is reduced to chloride ion:

`1/2Cl_2(g) + e^(-) rarr Cl^-`

And chlorine is oxidized to hypochlorite, `Cl(+I)`:

`1/2Cl_2 + H_2O rarr ClO^(-) + e^(-) +2H^+`

Overall:

`Cl_2(g) + + 3H_2O rarr Cl^(-) + ClO^(-) +2H_3O^+`