Higher oxidation states of the halogens

A reaction scheme for producing chlorine in its higher oxidation numbers, starting from chlorine gas and using simple experiments. 

At 25 °C, a litre of water will dissolve about 0.1 mole of CI2 gas in the following equilibrium  

Equilibrium tends to the left most dissolved chlorine is in the form of Cl2(aq). The substance HOCl is hypochlorous acid and it is written in the undissociated form because the acid is weak. In other words, equilibrium also lies to the left in the equation 

The overall reaction, the reaction of chlorine with alkali, can then be obtained by adding Equation 6.31, Equation 6.32 and twice Equation 6.33  

Now the dissolved chlorine is present as both chloride and hypochlorite ions. 

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