In electrolysis, can Cl be oxidized at the anode?

Question

I know that F can't be oxidized along with many polyatomics so you end up oxidizing water and getting and acidic solution.

Answer 1

Indeed, the Cl- anion can be oxidized to chlorine gas when an aqueous solution is electrolyzed. Note that F- can be oxidized, just not in the presence of water. In the case of Cl-, oxygen has a rather high overvoltage so that chlorine is oxidized preferentially to water, even though this should not be possible according to the reduction potentials. Try it yourself by electrolyzing an aqueous NaCl solution. Note the faint smell of chlorine gas (like a swimming pool).