Question

Bleaching action of chlorine result due to :

• A. oxidation
• B. reduction
• C. neutralization
• D. displacement

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

oxidation

Chlorine bleaches organic colouring matter in the presence of moisture.
The bleaching action of moist chlorine is due to its strong oxidising action, by oxidation.
It forms hypochlorous acid with water, that liberates nascent oxygen.
$C{l}_2+H_{2}O\to HCl+HClO$
$HClO\to HCl+\left[O\right]$ nascent oxygen
This oxygen reacts with the dye forming a colourless compound.
$\text{Colouring matter}+\left[O\right]\to \text{Colourless product}$
(vegetable dye) (Bleached product)