The reaction represents the process of bleaching. Identify and name the species that bleaches the substances due to its oxidising action.
In this reaction, O.N. of Cl increases from 0 (in Cl2) to 1 (in ClO-) as well as decreases from 0 (in Cl2) to -1 (in Cl-). So, it acts both reducing as well as oxidisng agent. This is an example of disproportionation reaction. In this reaction, ClO- species bleaches the substances due to its oxidising action. [In hypochlorite ion (ClO-) Cl can decrease its oxidation number from +1 to 0 or -1.]