Question

What products are expected from the disproportionation reaction of hypochlorous acid?

• A. $HCl{O}_2$ and $HCl{O}_4$
• B. $HCl$ and $C{l}_{2}O$
• C. $HCl$ and $HCl{O}_3$
• D. $HCl{O}_3$ and $C{l}_{2}O$

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

$HCl$ and $HCl{O}_3$

In a redox reaction, the species is simultaneously oxidized and reduced to form at least two different products.

The reaction for the disproportionation of hypochlorous acid is $3HOCl\to 2HCl+HCl{O}_3$.

The oxidation number of Cl in $HOCl$, $HCl$ and ${HClO}_3$ is +1, -1 and +5 respectively.

Therefore, the chlorine is simultaneously oxidized and reduced in this reaction.

The products of the reaction are $HCl$ and $HCl{O}_3$.

Hence, option C is correct.