Question

Oxidation number of chlorine atom in $Ca\left(OCl\right)Cl$ is:

• A. $-1$
• B. $+1,-1$
• C. $0$
• D. $-1,0$

Answer 1

The correct option is B $+1,-1$

In actual practice, the structure of $CaOC{l}_2$ is $ClO-Ca-Cl$.

$Ca\left(OCl\right)Cl\to C{a}^{2+}+OC{l}^{-}+C{l}^{-}$

Thus, in $CaOC{l}_2$, two types of anions $Cl{O}^{-}$ and $C{l}^{-}$ are present.

Out of these, the oxidation state of $C{l}^{-}$ is $-1$, but the oxidation state of chlorine in $OC{l}^{-}$ ion is $+1$ as oxygen is more electronegative than chlorine, hence oxidation state of oxygen remains $-2$ while oxidation state of chlorine becomes $+1$.

Hence, option $B$ is correct.