Chlorine (Cl2) bleaches a substance permanently because it is due to oxidation butsulphure dioxide (SO2) doesit temporarily because it is due to reduction.
Fluorine trichloride (FCl3) does not exist due to unavailability of d-orbitals in fluorine atom it cannot expand its valence shell. Therefore it is unable to form FCl3 whereas Chlorine has vacant d-orbitals. Hence it can promote one of the 3p electrons to the 3-d sub shell and shows +3 oxidation state and forms ClF3
In case
of ClO2 odd electron is delocalized
over 3 atoms so extent of delocalization of odd electron is higher in
comparison to NO. Hence tendency of demerisation of a NO is faster that of ClO2.
Oxidizing
character of elements calculated in aqueous medium while electron affinity is
the term related to gaseous state.
Since fluorine possesses small size and high negative charge density thus undergoes more hydration as compared to
chlorine as result of which its hydration energy increases than electron
affinity and thus fluorine takes electron easily in aqueous medium and act as
best oxidizing agent.The another reason of high oxidizing power of fluorine is
its low bond dissociation energy as compare to chlorine.