When chlorine is bubbled through aqueous iron(ll) chloride,iron(lll) chloride is formed.
Write the ionic equation for the reaction and tell me which substance is oxidized and give me a reason for your answer
The ionic equation for the reaction is:
2 FeCl2(aq) + Cl2(g) -> 2 FeCl3(aq)
In this reaction, iron(II) chloride is being oxidized to iron(III) chloride. This is because the iron in iron(II) chloride has an oxidation state of +2, and in iron(III) chloride it has an oxidation state of +3. This means that the iron atoms are losing electrons (being oxidized) in the reaction. The chlorine atoms are gaining electrons to form chloride ions, but since they are not changing oxidation states, they are not being oxidized or reduced.