2 NaOH (aq) + Cl₂ (g) → NaCl (aq) + NaClO (l) + H₂O (l)

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

Cl₂ is both an oxidizing and a reducing agent (disproportionation (dismutation)).

Reactants:

• NaOH
  • Names: Sodium hydroxide , Caustic soda , Lye ... show moreSoda lye , Sodium hydrate , NaOH , White caustic , Lye [Sodium hydroxide] show less
  • Appearance: White, waxy, opaque crystals ; White hygroscopic solid in various forms ; Colorless to white, odorless solid (flakes, beads, granular form).
• Cl₂
  • Names: Chlorine , Molecular chlorine
  • Appearance: Greenish-yellow compressed liquefied gas with pungent odour ; Greenish-yellow gas with a pungent, irritating odor. [Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas.]

Products:

• NaCl – Sodium chloride
  • Other names: {{unbulleted list , Salt , Table salt ... show moreCommon salt , NaCl , Broncho saline show less
  • Appearance: Colorless cubic crystals
• NaClO – Sodium hypochlorite
  • Other names: A , Ntiformin|Bleach|Chloride of soda}}'In dilution:'C , Arrel-Dakin solution|Modified Dakin's solution|Surgical chlorinated soda solution}} ... show moreSodium hypochlorite (solution, active chlorine <10%) , Sodium hypochlorite (solution, active chlorine >10%) , Sodium oxychloride , Sodium chloride oxide show less
  • Appearance: Greenish-yellow solid (pentahydrate) ; Clear slightly yellow solution with characteristic odour ; Clear slightly yellow solution with characteristic odour
• H₂O – Water, oxidane
  • Other names: Water (H2O) , Hydrogen hydroxide (HH or HOH) , Hydrogen oxide ... show moreDihydrogen monoxide (DHMO) (systematic name) , Hydrogen monoxide , Dihydrogen oxide , Hydric acid , Hydrohydroxic acid , Hydroxic acid , Hydrol , Μ-oxido dihydrogen , Κ1-hydroxyl hydrogen(0) show less
  • Appearance: White crystalline solid, almost colorless liquid with a hint of blue, colorless gas