Chlorine and Chlorine Dioxide are both oxidizing agents, which means they are both electron receivers. Although Chlorine can take in two electrons, whereas Chlorine dioxide can absorb five; this means that ClO₂ is 2.6 times more effective than Chlorine.

Chlorine Dioxide will not react with many organic compounds, and as a result, ClO₂ does not produce environmentally dangerous chlorinated organics, which makes it safe for consumption in specific amounts, of course.

Chlorine Dioxide’s behaviour as an oxidizing agent is entirely dissimilar, and the predominant oxidation reaction mechanism for Chlorine Dioxide proceeds through a process known as free radical electrophilic (i.e., electron- attracting) abstraction rather than by oxidation substitution or addition which chlorinating agents such as hypochlorite and Chlorine do. Meaning that chlorinated organic compounds such as Trihalomethanes (THMs) and Haloacetic acids (HAAS) are not produced as a result of disinfection using ClO₂, whereas Chlorine produces Carcinogenic Trihalomethanes and other undesirable products you would not wish to drink.