Question

(a) Write an equation of the reaction of chlorine with cold and dilute $NaOH$ solution.
(b) Explain the reducing nature of $H_{3}P{O}_2$.

Answer 1

(a) The reaction of $chlorine$ with cold and dilute $NaOH$ solution gives $sodium$ $chloride$ and $sodium$ $hypochlorite$.
$C{l}_2+2NaOH\text{(cold and dilute)}\to NaCl+NaOCl+H_{2}O$
(b) The reducing nature of $H_{3}P{O}_2$ is due to presence of two $P-H$ bonds. The oxidation state of $P$ in $H_{3}P{O}_2$ is $+1$. Hence, it can be easily oxidised to higher oxidation states and acts as a reducing agent.