Question

Bleaching properties of bleaching powder are due it its:

• A. Oxidizing properties
• B. Reducing properties
• C. Basic properties
• D. Disinfecting properties

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Oxidizing properties

Chlorine bleaches by the process of oxidation. It needs moisture for its bleaching action.

Chlorine reacts with water to form hydrochloric and hypochlorous acids.

$C{l}_2+H_{2}O\to HCl+HClO$

Hypochlorous acid is unstable, and it easily dissociates to form nascent oxygen.

$HClO\to HCl+\left[O\right]$

Nascent oxygen is a more powerful oxidising agent. Its formation is responsible for the bleaching nature of chlorine in the presence of moisture.

Hence option A is correct answer.