Which of the following is a reducing agent in the reaction 2MnO4- + 5C2O4^2- + 1
Practice Questions
Q1
Which of the following is a reducing agent in the reaction 2MnO4- + 5C2O4^2- + 16H+ → 2Mn^2+ + 10CO2 + 8H2O? (2020)
MnO4-
C2O4^2-
H+
CO2
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which of the following is a reducing agent in the reaction 2MnO4- + 5C2O4^2- + 16H+ → 2Mn^2+ + 10CO2 + 8H2O? (2020)
Step 1: Identify the reactants in the reaction: 2MnO4-, 5C2O4^2-, and 16H+.
Step 2: Understand what a reducing agent is: A reducing agent donates electrons and gets oxidized in the process.
Step 3: Look at the oxalate ion (C2O4^2-): It is being converted to CO2 in the reaction.
Step 4: Determine the oxidation state of carbon in C2O4^2- and CO2: In C2O4^2-, carbon has an oxidation state of +3, while in CO2, it has an oxidation state of +4.
Step 5: Since the oxidation state of carbon increases from +3 to +4, the oxalate ion is losing electrons.
Step 6: Conclude that because C2O4^2- is losing electrons, it is acting as a reducing agent.
