the bleaching action of chlorine is due to

Options

A. reduction
B. hydrogenation
C. chloronation
D. oxidation

Explanation

To solve the question regarding the bleaching action of chlorine, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Concept of Bleaching
Bleaching is a process used to remove color from materials, such as fabrics. It involves the breakdown of colored substances to make them colorless.

**Hint:** Consider what happens to colored substances during the bleaching process.

### Step 2: Identify the Role of Chlorine
Chlorine is commonly used as a bleaching agent. When chlorine is introduced to a colored substance, it reacts with water to produce nascent oxygen.

**Hint:** Think about the chemical reactions that chlorine undergoes when it interacts with water.

### Step 3: Write the Reaction
The reaction can be represented as follows:
\[ \text{Cl}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow 2\text{HCl} + \text{O} \]
In this reaction, chlorine (Cl₂) reacts with water (H₂O) to produce hydrochloric acid (HCl) and nascent oxygen (O).

**Hint:** Focus on what products are formed in the reaction and how they relate to the bleaching action.

### Step 4: Understand the Mechanism of Bleaching
The nascent oxygen produced in the reaction is responsible for the bleaching action. It reacts with the colored substances, breaking down their structure and converting them into colorless compounds.

**Hint:** Consider how the introduction of oxygen can affect the chemical structure of colored substances.

### Step 5: Determine the Type of Reaction
The process of removing color from a substance by adding oxygen is classified as an oxidation reaction. In this context, oxidation refers to the addition of oxygen to a substance, which leads to the loss of color.

**Hint:** Recall the definitions of reduction, hydrogenation, chlorination, and oxidation to identify which one applies here.

### Conclusion
Based on the analysis, the bleaching action of chlorine is due to oxidation. Therefore, the correct answer is:

**Answer:** Oxidation (Option D)