The unbalanced equation below describes the decomposition of molten sodium chloride:

NaCl_(l) ⟶ Na_(l) + Cl2_(g)   (unbalanced)

This reaction satisfies the criterion for redox classification, since the oxidation number for Na is decreased from +1 to 0 (it undergoes reduction) and that for Cl is increased from −1 to 0 (it undergoes oxidation). The equation, in this case, is easily balanced by inspection, requiring stoichiometric coefficients of 2 for the NaCl and Na:

2NaCl_(l) ⟶ 2Na_(l) + Cl_2(g)   (balanced)