Question

Select the species acting as reductant and oxidant in the following. ${PCl3 + Cl2 -> PCl5}$

• A. $Cl_2$ is oxidant, $PCl_3$ is reductant.
• B. $Cl_2$ is reductant, $PCl_3$ is oxidant.
• C. Both are reductants.
• D. Both are oxidants.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

$Cl_2$ is oxidant, $PCl_3$ is reductant.

Answer 2

${P^{3+} -> P^{5+} + 2e^{-}}$ ${Cl2 + 2e^{-} -> 2Cl^{-}}$ So, P is being oxidised from $P^{3+}$ to $P^{5+}$. So, it is acting as reductant. Cl is being reduced from $Cl_2 (0)$ to $Cl^-(-1)$. So, it is acting as an oxidant.