Question

Why Cl2 acts as a bleaching agent.

Answer 1

Answer:

It needs moisture for its bleaching action. Chlorine reacts with water to form hydrochloric and hypochlorous acids. Hypochlorous acid is unstable, and it easily dissociates to form nascent oxygen. ... Its formation is responsible for the bleaching nature of chlorine in the presence of moisture.

Answer 2

Answer:

Cl2 functions as a bleaching agent because it is an excellent oxidising agent.

Explanation:

the bleaching agent is a substance that turns anything white or colourless.

Chlorine bleaches through the oxidation process. It requires moisture to perform its bleaching action. Hydrochloric and hypochlorous acids are formed when chlorine combines with water.

$Cl_2 + H_2O-- > HCl + HClO.$

Hypochlorous acid is highly unstable, quickly dissociating to create nascent oxygen. Its creation is responsible for chlorine's bleaching properties in the presence of moisture.

It is a colourless material that contains nascent oxygen and bleaches organic things in the presence of moisture.