What occurs when electrons are added to the chlorine molecule, $Cl_2$ ?

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Answer 1 · 2016-10-14T06:29:35

You reduce the chlorine molecule.

As a non-metal, elemental chlorine tends to be oxidizing, i.e. it tends to gain electrons, and be reduced, i.e.

$1/2Cl_2(aq) + e^(-) rarr Cl^-$

And thus we need to provide an electron source, i.e. typically a metal, for instance sodium, to make a salt:

$Na(g) + 1/2Cl_2(g) rarr NaCl(s)darr$

What occurs when electrons are added to the chlorine molecule, Cl_2Cl_2?