CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · A Level · Chemistry · Oxidation, reduction and redox reactions · Oxidation, reduction and redox reactions
Problem
In basic solution, permanganate ion reacts with iodide ion to yield manganese(IV) oxide and iodate ion. The unbalanced skeletal equation is provided below.
MnO4−(aq)+I−(aq)→MnO2(s)+IO3−(aq)
Answer the following questions about the redox chemistry of this system. (Balancing must be carried out under basic conditions.)
(1) Separate the reaction into an oxidation half-reaction and a reduction half-reaction, clearly indicating which species is being oxidized and which is being reduced.
(2) Balance each half-reaction for all atoms and charge, including the addition of electrons, H2O(l), and OH−(aq) as required by basic conditions.
(3) Combine the balanced half-reactions to obtain the overall balanced ionic equation for the reaction in basic solution.
(4) From your half-reaction analysis, specify (i) the species that undergoes oxidation, (ii) the species that undergoes reduction, (iii) the oxidizing agent, and (iv) the reducing agent in the overall reaction.