Question

What are the products expected in the disproportion reaction of $HClO$?

• A. $HCl{O}_{3}andC{l}_{2}O$
• B. $HCl{O}_{2}andHCl{O}_4$
• C. $HClandC{l}_{2}O$
• D. $HClandHCl{O}_3$

Answer 1

The correct option is D $HClandHCl{O}_3$

In hypochlorous acid $\left(HOCl\right)$ chlorine is in +1 state. So on disproportionation, it gets oxidised and gets reduced simultaneously to form $HClandHCl{O}_3$.

The following reaction takes place:

$HOCl\to HCl+HCl{O}_3$

Chlorine in $HCl$ is in (-1) state, that is, it gets reduced and in $HCl{O}_3$ it is in (+5) state, hence it also gets oxidised.