Video: Hypochlorite ion as an oxidizing agent I

Hypochlorite ion reacts with the chloride ion in a conproportionation reaction to give chlorine gas:

2 ClO-(aq) + 4 H+(aq) + 2 e- ® C12(g) + 2 H2O(l)
2 Cl-(aq) ® C12(g) + 2 e-

to give a combined reaction of:

2 I-(aq) ® I2(s) + 2 e-
2 Cl2(g) + 2 e- ® 2 Cl-(aq)

Blue litmus paper turns a pale pink as a result of the combination of acidic and oxidizing properties of chlorine gas.