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

Options

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

Answer

To find the oxidation numbers 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 number of +2, oxygen usually has an oxidation number of -2, and we need to determine the oxidation states of the chlorine atoms.

### Step 2: Write the dissociation of the compound
When \( \text{CaOCl}_2 \) dissociates, it can be represented as:
- \( \text{Ca}^{2+} \)
- \( \text{OCl}^- \) (hypochlorite ion)
- \( \text{Cl}^- \) (chloride ion)

### Step 3: Determine the oxidation number of chlorine in \( \text{Cl}^- \)
For the chloride ion \( \text{Cl}^- \):
- The oxidation number of chlorine is -1.

### Step 4: Determine the oxidation number of chlorine in \( \text{OCl}^- \)
For the hypochlorite ion \( \text{OCl}^- \):
- Let the oxidation number of chlorine be \( x \).
- The oxidation number of oxygen is -2.
- The overall charge of the hypochlorite ion is -1.

We can set up the equation based on the sum of oxidation states:
\[ x + (-2) = -1 \]
Solving for \( x \):
\[ x - 2 = -1 \\ x = +1 \]

### Step 5: Summarize the oxidation numbers
Thus, we have:
- The oxidation number of chlorine in \( \text{Cl}^- \) is -1.
- The oxidation number of chlorine in \( \text{OCl}^- \) is +1.

### Final Answer
The oxidation numbers of chlorine atoms in \( \text{CaOCl}_2 \) are -1 and +1.

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