Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Science & Nature / Science / Chemistry / Analytical Chemistry / Difference Between Bleaching Action of SO2 and Cl2

Difference Between Bleaching Action of SO2 and Cl2

November 26, 2020 Posted by Madhu

The key difference between bleaching action of SO2 and Cl2 is that bleaching action of SO2 proceeds through a reduction reaction and is a temporary bleaching process whereas bleaching action of Cl2 proceeds through an oxidation reaction and is a permanent bleaching process.

Bleaching is a chemical process that involves the whitening of fabric by the removal of natural color, e.g. tan color of linen. We need to select a proper chemical substance for this procedure depending on the chemical composition of the fiber. Usually, this bleaching process is done through an oxidation reaction.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Bleaching Action of SO2 
3. What is Bleaching Action of Cl2
4. Side by Side Comparison – Bleaching Action of SO2 vs Cl2 in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Bleaching Action of SO2?

Bleaching action of SO2 is a reduction chemical reaction. Usually, bleaching processes include oxidation reactions, but SO2 act as a bleaching reagent through reduction, which is an exception for the usual process. Moreover, the bleaching process of SO2 is considered as a temporary process because it involves a reduction reaction. Here, SO2 can remove oxygen from the colored substance to make it a colorless component.

Difference Between Bleaching Action of SO2 and Cl2

We say this process is temporary because the atmospheric oxygen gas slowly takes the place of the removed oxygen in the colored component, and it regains the color. The chemical reaction involved in this bleaching process is as follows:

SO2 + 2H2O ⟶ H2SO4 + 2[H]

What is Bleaching Action of Cl2?

Bleaching action of Cl2 is an oxidation chemical reaction. We can consider this process as a permanent bleaching process because once the color of the surface is gone through Cl2 bleaching process, it cannot regain the color. This bleaching action is permanent because oxidation occurs during this process. During this bleaching process, Cl2 gas reacts with water to produce nascent oxygen from the colored surface. This produced oxygen then undergoes combination with the colors of the colorful surface and can make the surface colorless. This is the reason why we call Cl2 as a strong oxidizing agent. The chemical reaction that is involved in this bleaching process is as follows:

Cl2 + H2O ⟶ HCl + HClO

What is the Difference Between Bleaching Action of SO2 and Cl2?

In general, the bleaching processes are oxidation chemical reactions. However, there are some exceptions where reduction reactions can be used to bleach a surface. Bleaching action of SO2 is a reduction chemical reaction while bleaching action of Cl2 is an oxidation chemical reaction. The key difference between bleaching action of SO2 and Cl2 is that the bleaching action of SO2 proceeds through a reduction reaction, and it is a temporary bleaching process whereas the bleaching action of Cl2 proceeds through an oxidation reaction, and it is a permanent bleaching process.

SO2 removes oxygen gas from the colored component (this cause the removal of color), but the oxygen from the atmosphere slowly replaces this removed oxygen, causing the regain of the color. Cl2 gas, on the other hand, reacts with water to produce nascent oxygen from the colored surface, which then undergoes a combination reaction with the color components.

Below infographic tabulates the differences between bleaching action of SO2 and Cl2 for side-by-side comparison.

Difference Between Bleaching Action of SO2 and Cl2 in Tabular Form

Summary – Bleaching Action of SO2 vs Cl2

Bleaching is a chemical process where whitening of a surface is done via removing color components. The key difference between bleaching action of SO2 and Cl2 is that bleaching action of SO2 proceeds through a reduction reaction so it is a temporary bleaching process whereas bleaching action of Cl2 proceeds through an oxidation reaction and it is a permanent bleaching process.

Reference:

1. “Why Bleaching Action of Chlorine Is Permanent While That of Sulphur Di Oxide Is Temporary? – JEE Chemistry Q&A.” BYJUS, Available here.
2. “Bleaching Agent.” An Overview | ScienceDirect Topics, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Bleach Detergent Laundry Free Photo” (CC0) via Needpix

Related posts:

Difference Between Adsorption and Partition ChromatographyDifference Between Adsorption and Partition Chromatography Difference Between Geminal and Vicinal CouplingDifference Between Geminal and Vicinal Coupling Difference Between RP HPLC and HICDifference Between RP HPLC and HIC Difference Between Clarification and FiltrationDifference Between Clarification and Filtration Difference Between Micelles and Colloidal ParticlesDifference Between Micelles and Colloidal Particles

Filed Under: Analytical Chemistry

About the Author: Madhu

Madhu is a graduate in Biological Sciences with BSc (Honours) Degree and currently persuing a Masters Degree in Industrial and Environmental Chemistry. With a mind rooted firmly to basic principals of chemistry and passion for ever evolving field of industrial chemistry, she is keenly interested to be a true companion for those who seek knowledge in the subject of chemistry.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between Gammon and Ham

Difference Between Bar Graph and Histogram

Difference Between Roasting and Baking

Difference Between Roasting and Baking

Difference Between Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Sulfate

Difference Between Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Sulfate

Difference Between Ionising and Non Ionising Radiation

Difference Between Ionising and Non Ionising Radiation

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Cholangiocarcinoma
  • What is the Difference Between Medulla Oblongata and Spinal Cord
  • What is the Difference Between CHF and Pulmonary Edema
  • What is the Difference Between Bisphosphonates and Denosumab
  • What is the Difference Between Colles Fracture and Smith Fracture
  • What is the Difference Between Cutaneous and Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.