Uses & Reactions of Chlorine

Chlorine () is a pale green toxic gas used industrially and domestically, particularly in water treatment.

Reactions of Chlorine

- With cold water (disproportionation)

Equation:

• HCl: Chlorine is reduced from 0 to -1.

• HClO (chloric(I) acid): Chlorine is oxidised from 0 to +1.

This is a disproportionation reaction, a reaction in which the same element in a single species is simultaneously oxidised and reduced.

Chloric(I) acid acts as a weak bleach and kills bacteria in water supplies.

- With water in the presence of sunlight

The same reaction as above takes place, however, in the presence of sunlight the chloric (I) acid (HClO) decomposes to hydrochloric acid (HCl) and oxygen gas ().

Equation:

Reaction of Chlorine with cold, dilute sodium hydroxide

Equation:

Sodium chlorate(I), NaClO, is the active ingredient in household bleach. Again, this is a disproportionation reaction.

• NaCl: Chlorine is reduced from 0 to -1.

• NaClO: Chlorine is oxidised from 0 to +1.

Benefits:

• Destroys pathogenic microorganisms.

• Prevents waterborne diseases (e.g. cholera, typhoid).

• Maintains residual protection in water supply.

Risks:

• Chlorine is toxic and corrosive.

• Can react with organic compounds in water to form chlorinated hydrocarbons, some of which are carcinogenic (e.g. trihalomethanes).

Overall:

Despite the risks outlined above, chlorine is added to water in low enough concentrations that the benefit of disease prevention outweighs the risks associated with its toxicity.