MHTCET 20 Apr 2026 Shift 2 Paper

Concept:The oxidation number is determined using known oxidation states of hydrogen and oxygen, then solving for chlorine in a neutral molecule.Explanation:In $\mathrm{HOClO}_{2}$, there are 1 hydrogen atom, 1 chlorine atom, and 3 oxygen atoms.Hydrogen has an oxidation number of $+1$.Oxygen has an oxidation number of $-2$.Let the oxidation number of chlorine be $x$.The molecule is neutral, so the total sum of oxidation numbers is zero.$$(+1) + x + 3(-2) = 0$$$$1 + x - 6 = 0$$$$x - 5 = 0$$$$x = +5$$Therefore, the oxidation number of Cl in $\mathrm{HOClO}_{2}$ is $+5$.Answer:$+5$, which matches option B.