Hello,

Question

I had a lab about calorimetry and one of the questions was if the reaction of acetone with hypochlorite is an oxidation/reduction or acid/base.

Would the answer be: oxidation/reduction
because the oxygen from the hydroxide from the Sodium hydroxide detaches and joins the Chlorine from the Chlorine gas? The Sodium also forms a bond with the other CHlorine. Is this correct?

Answer 1

You have the reaction right, however, oxygen does not join the chlorine. Things are oxidation or reduction because electrons detach and move from species to species.

Answer 2

so the oxygen molecule detachs from the Hydroxide and moves to electronegative species right?

Answer 3

I got it, oxidation state of reactants is going to be (+5) and products (-4) so it's an oxidation reaction, thanks for the info Bob!