Which one of the following statements is not correct?

Bleaching powder is produced by the action of chlorine gas on dry slaked lime [Ca(OH)2], as represented by the reaction Ca(OH)2 + Cl2 → CaOCl2 + H2O [1]. It is chemically known as calcium hypochlorite or chlorinated lime [1]. A key chemical property of bleaching powder is its role as a strong oxidizing agent, not a reducing agent [2]. Its bleaching action is derived from the liberation of chlorine, which acts through oxidation to remove color. Furthermore, it is extensively used in chemical industries for organic synthesis and as a disinfectant for drinking water to eliminate harmful microorganisms like bacteria and algae [2]. Therefore, statement 2 is incorrect because bleaching powder acts as an oxidizing agent in chemical industries, which is the opposite of a reducing agent.

Sources

1. [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Acids, Bases and Salts > Bleaching powder > p. 30
2. [2] https://www.kviconline.gov.in/pmegp/pmegpweb/docs/commonprojectprofile/StableBleachingPowder.pdf