Question:medium

Chlorine water on standing loses its colour and forms :

Updated On: Apr 2, 2026
  • $HCl$ only
  • $HOCl$ and $HOCl_2$
  • $HCl$ and $HOCl$
  • $HCl$ and $HClO_2$
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Chlorine water is a solution of chlorine gas in water. When chlorine gas dissolves in water, it forms a mixture of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hydrochloric acid (HCl). The reaction can be represented as:

Cl_2 + H_2O \rightarrow HCl + HOCl

On standing, the yellowish-green color of chlorine water fades. This is because chlorine water is not stable, and it undergoes a disproportionation reaction, which reduces its color intensity:

  1. Formation of HCl and HOCl:
    - When chlorine water stands, it forms hydrochloric acid and hypochlorous acid through the interaction of chlorine gas with water.
    - The relevant reaction: Cl_2 + H_2O \rightarrow HCl + HOCl.
  2. Explanation of Other Options:
    - HCl only: Chlorine water can never form just HCl because the initial reaction with water always produces HOCl as well.
    - HOCl and HOCl_2: There is no direct formation of HOCl_2 in chlorine water; it dissociates to HCl and HOCl.
    - HCl and HClO_2: HClO_2 is not a product of the disproportionation of chlorine water.

Thus, when chlorine water stands, it forms HCl and HOCl. So, the correct answer is HCl and HOCl.

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