Question

Many bleaches, including chlorine and its oxides, oxidize dye compounds in cloth. Predict which of the following will be the strongest bleach at a given concentration and${\mathbf{\text{pH0:NaClO}}}_{\mathbf{\text{3}}}{\mathbf{\text{(aq),NaClO(aq),Cl}}}_{\mathbf{\text{2}}}\mathbf{\text{(aq)}}$ .How does the strongest chlorine-containing bleach compare in strength with ozone ${\mathbf{\text{O}}}_{\mathbf{\text{3}}}\mathbf{\text{(g)}}$?

Short answer

The ozone molecule has the highest positive reduction potential, followed by the others, with an usual reduction potential of The ozone molecule is a powerful two-electron oxidant with a typical reduction potential of $\text{2.07V}$.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of oxidizing agent.

Oxidizing agent: In a chemical reaction, oxidising agents are molecules that gain electrons.

Explanation of solution.

The positive reduction potential of a good oxidising is higher. Let's make a list of standard reduction potentials for the following compounds:

$\begin{array}{c}{\text{ClO\_3}}^{\text{-}}{\text{-(aq)+6H}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}^{\text{+}}{\text{+5e}}^{\text{-}}\to \frac{\text{1}}{\text{2}}{\text{Cl}}_{\text{2(g)}}{\text{+9H}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O}}_{\text{(l)}}\\ {\text{E}}^{\text{o}}\text{=1.47V}\\ {\text{ClO}}^{\text{-}}{\text{-(aq)+2H}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}^{\text{+}}{\text{+e}}^{\text{-}}\to \frac{\text{1}}{\text{2}}{\text{Cl}}_{\text{2(g)}}{\text{+3H}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O}}_{\text{(l)}}\\ {\text{E}}^{\text{o}}\text{=1.611V}\\ {\text{Cl\_2-(g)+2e}}^{\text{-}}\to {\text{2Cl}}^{\text{-}}\text{(aq)}\\ {\text{E}}^{\text{o}}\text{=1.3583V}\end{array}$

As, has the highest positive reduction potential, and the others are listed in the following order$\text{NaClO<NaClO\_3<Cl2}$:

As a result,$\text{NaClO}$ is the most powerful oxidising agent. With a typical reduction potential of $\text{2.07V}$, the ozone molecule is a powerful two-electron oxidant.