Chemical Properties of Chlorine Gas

Chlorine belongs to p-block of periodic table.
Chlorine is a very powerful oxidizing agent.

1. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF CHLORINE CHAPTER 04 XII CHEMISTRY SIDRA JAVED

2. Chemical reactions of chlorine The chemical reactions of chlorine are of following types: Oxidation reactions Addition reactions Substitution reaction Auto oxidation - reduction reactions

3. Oxidation Reactions Cl 2 is a strong oxidizing agent Due to high electronegativity it readily gains electrons and become negatively charged Cl 2 + 2e - → 2Cl -

4. Oxidation Reactions Cl 2 readily oxidizes other metals and nonmetals Zn + Cl 2 → ZnCl 2 Cu + Cl 2 → CuCl 2 2P + 5Cl 2 → 2PCl 5 H 2 + Cl 2 → 2HCl

5. Addition Reactions Cl 2 directly combines with certain compounds to give addition products CH 2 =CH 2 + Cl 2 → CH 2 Cl-CH 2 Cl CO + Cl 2 → COCl 2 SO 2 + Cl 2 → SO 2 Cl 2

6. Substitution Reactions Cl 2 replaces one or more atoms from other compounds H 2 S + Cl 2 → 2HCl + S 2KI + Cl 2 → 2KCl + I 2 CH 4 + Cl 2 → CH 3 Cl + HCl CH 3 Cl + Cl 2 → CH 2 Cl 2 + HCl

7. Auto Oxidation and Reduction Reactions Cl 2 reacts with water to form Hydrochloric acid (HCl) and Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) . In this reaction Cl 2 is oxidized as well as reduced. Cl 2 o + H 2 O → H + Cl - + H + O -2 Cl + Such reactions are called auto oxidation reduction reactions

8. Chlorine water Solution of chlorine in water is a strong oxidizing agent In this solution HOCl act as oxidising agent due to +1 oxidation state of Cl Bleaching action of Chlorine is due to same reason. Cl 2 forms HOCl with water which then oxidizes colored compound to colorless less compound.

9. Importance of Chlorine Manufacture of organic solvents such as CCl 4 , CHCl 3 etc Manufacture of vinyl chloride which is used in preparation of plastics (PVC) Used in preparation of Pesticides such as DDT, Hexachlorocyclohexane Manufacturing of synthetic rubber Used as a bleaching agent for cotton, rayon, wood pulp etc. Used in sterilization of drinking water Used in layer test for detection of halogens.