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What characterizes the process known as disproportionation?

The oxidation state of an element remains the same

The oxidation state of an element goes both up and down

Disproportionation is a specific type of redox reaction in which a single substance undergoes both oxidation and reduction simultaneously. This means that in this process, the same element is converted into two different oxidation states: one that is higher (oxidized) and one that is lower (reduced).

For instance, in the disproportionation of chlorine gas (Cl₂) in the presence of water, chlorine can be converted into chloride ions (Cl⁻) and hypochlorous acid (HClO). In this example, one chlorine atom is reduced to the -1 oxidation state while another is oxidized to the +1 oxidation state. This dual change in oxidation states is what characterizes disproportionation and illustrates the direct transformation of an element into multiple states in a single reaction.

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Only oxidation occurs without reduction

Reduction is the only process involved

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