Oxidation number of chlorine atoms in `CaOCl_(2)` are

Options

A. 0, 0
B. `-1, -1`
C. `-1, +1`
D. `-2, +7`

Answer

To determine the oxidation number of chlorine atoms in \( \text{CaOCl}_2 \), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the components of the compound
The compound \( \text{CaOCl}_2 \) consists of calcium (Ca), oxygen (O), and chlorine (Cl). Calcium typically has an oxidation state of +2, and oxygen usually has an oxidation state of -2.

### Step 2: Write the oxidation states of known elements
- Calcium (Ca) = +2
- Oxygen (O) = -2

### Step 3: Set up the equation for the total charge
In \( \text{CaOCl}_2 \), there are two chlorine atoms. Let’s denote the oxidation state of chlorine as \( x \). The total charge of the compound must equal zero because it is neutral.

The equation can be set up as follows:
\[ \text{Charge from Ca} + \text{Charge from O} + 2 \times \text{Charge from Cl} = 0 \]
Substituting the known oxidation states:
\[ (+2) + (-2) + 2x = 0 \]

### Step 4: Solve for the oxidation state of chlorine
Now, we can simplify the equation:
\[ 0 + 2x = 0 \]
This implies:
\[ 2x = 0 \implies x = 0 \]

However, we need to consider the individual contributions of each chlorine atom. Since there are two chlorine atoms, we need to account for their charges separately.

### Step 5: Analyze the two chlorine atoms
In \( \text{CaOCl}_2 \), there are two different chlorine atoms:
1. One chlorine is part of the hypochlorite ion (\( \text{OCl}^- \)), which has an oxidation state of -1.
2. The other chlorine is part of the chloride ion (\( \text{Cl}^- \)), which also has an oxidation state of -1.

Thus, the oxidation states of the two chlorine atoms in \( \text{CaOCl}_2 \) are:
- Chlorine in \( \text{OCl}^- \): -1
- Chlorine in \( \text{Cl}^- \): -1

### Conclusion
The oxidation numbers of chlorine atoms in \( \text{CaOCl}_2 \) are:
- One chlorine atom has an oxidation number of -1 (from \( \text{Cl}^- \)).
- The other chlorine atom also has an oxidation number of -1 (from \( \text{OCl}^- \)).

### Final Answer
The oxidation number of chlorine atoms in \( \text{CaOCl}_2 \) is -1 for both chlorine atoms.

---