Which of the following is the primary product of the reaction between chlorine and sodium hydroxide?

The primary product of the reaction between chlorine and sodium hydroxide is sodium hypochlorite, represented by the formula NaClO. This reaction typically occurs when chlorine gas is dissolved in an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution.

During this reaction, chlorine acts as an oxidizing agent and reacts with sodium hydroxide to form sodium hypochlorite and sodium chloride, along with water. The overall balanced equation for this reaction can be represented as follows:

[ \text{Cl}_2 + 2 \text{NaOH} \rightarrow \text{NaClO} + \text{NaCl} + \text{H}_2\text{O} ]

In this context, while both sodium chloride (NaCl) and water (H2O) are formed, sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) is considered the primary product of interest due to its significance as a bleaching agent and disinfectant. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a reactant rather than a product in this case. Therefore, the key focus of the reaction is the formation of NaClO, making it the primary product.