What is the oxidation state of Cl in Cl
0 0 0 1 0 -1 0 2 0 -2
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The oxidation state of chlorine (Cl) in different compounds or ions depends on its bonding with other elements and the overall charge balance of the molecule or ion. Let’s break this down step by step, particularly focusing on the list you provided:
Oxidation States of Cl:
The oxidation states you provided for chlorine in different compounds appear to be:
0, 1, -1, 2, -2.
To determine the oxidation state of chlorine, we can look at specific cases where chlorine is part of different compounds. Here are the general rules:
- Cl in elemental form (Cl₂):
- In its elemental form, chlorine (Cl₂) is in its natural state and has an oxidation state of 0. This is true for all elements in their natural forms (e.g., Cl₂, O₂, N₂).
- Oxidation state = 0.
- Cl in a halide ion (Cl⁻):
- Chlorine in a halide ion (e.g., NaCl) typically has an oxidation state of -1. This is because it gains one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration similar to that of a noble gas.
- Oxidation state = -1.
- Cl in compounds with oxygen (e.g., ClO, ClO₂, Cl₂O):
- In compounds like hypochlorous acid (HOCl) or chlorine dioxide (ClO₂), the oxidation state of chlorine is positive because oxygen is typically assigned an oxidation state of -2. For example, in ClO (hypochlorite ion), chlorine would have an oxidation state of +1.
- Oxidation state = +1 in ClO and +2 in ClO₂.
- Cl in dichlorine monoxide (Cl₂O):
- When chlorine is bonded with oxygen in certain compounds like dichlorine monoxide (Cl₂O), chlorine can have an oxidation state of +1 for each chlorine atom.
- Cl in other compounds like Cl₂ or Cl⁻:
- The oxidation state in Cl₂ is 0, while in Cl⁻ (as a halide ion), it is -1.
Summary:
The oxidation states of chlorine you mentioned can be explained as follows:
- 0: Chlorine in elemental form (Cl₂).
- +1: Chlorine in compounds like ClO.
- -1: Chlorine in halide ions (e.g., Cl⁻).
- +2: Chlorine in compounds like Cl₂O (dichlorine monoxide).
- -2: Chlorine typically does not have an oxidation state of -2 in most stable compounds, as it rarely forms such an anion.
So, based on this reasoning, the most common oxidation states of chlorine are 0, +1, and -1 depending on the compound it forms.
