Question

In this reaction: MnO4 - + H2O2 ---> Mn2+ + O2 (in acid)

a)what was the reducing agent

b)the oxidizing agent

C) _______was oxidized to _______

d) _____ was reduced to _________

Answer 1

Reducing agent is the one which reduces any other species in the reaction and in the due course it itself gets oxidized.

the oxidation state of reducing agent increases

this reaction is in acid and closely resembles to:

5H₂O₂ + 2KMnO₄ + 3H₂SO₄ → 5O₂ + 2MnSO₄ + K₂SO₄ + 8H₂O

here oxygen is highly electronegative atom and has -2 oxidation state and overall charge on MnO₄^- is -1 so the oxidation state of Mn in this molecule is

4x-2 + 1 x Mn = -1

Mn = +7 oxidation state

and in product

Mn = +2 oxidation state

so oxidation state reduces means that the molecule itself gets reduced while oxidizing other molecule in a reaction

similarly in H₂O₂ ,O is in -1 oxidation state and becomes O₂ after reaction having zero oxidation as both are equally electronegative so here oxidation occurs

MnO₄^- is oxidizing agent

H₂O₂ is reducing agent

H₂O₂ oxidized to O₂

MnO₄^- reduced to Mn²⁺