37)
The reaction at anode with lower value of E o  is preferred and
therefore, water should get oxidised in preference to Cl– (aq) However,
on account of overpotential of oxygen, reaction (2 36) is preferred Thus,
the net reactions may be summarised as:
NaCl (aq) 
H O
2

→
  Na+ (aq) + Cl– (aq)
Cathode:
H2O(l ) + e– ® ½ H2(g) + OH– (aq)
Anode:
Cl– (aq) ® ½ Cl2(g) + e–
Net reaction:
NaCl(aq) + H2O(l) ® Na+(aq) + OH–(aq) + ½H2(g) + ½Cl2(g)
The standard electrode potentials are replaced by electrode potentials
given by Nernst equation (Eq