How is "cuprous ion"cuprous ion oxidized by bleach to give "cupric ion"cupric ion?

1 Answer
Sep 11, 2016

This is a redox reaction; cuprous ion is oxidized by bleach to cupric ion.

Explanation:

ClO^(-) +2H^(+) + 2e^(-) rarr Cl^(-) + H_2O(l)ClO+2H++2eCl+H2O(l), "reduction"reduction

Cu^(+) rarr Cu^(2+) + 1e^(-)Cu+Cu2++1e, "oxidation"oxidation

2Cu^(+) + ClO^(-) +2H^(+)rarr 2Cu^(2+) + Cl^(-) + H_2O(l)2Cu++ClO+2H+2Cu2++Cl+H2O(l).

Charge and mass are balanced, so this equation is reasonable.