In: Other
Assign oxidation states to each of the atoms in the reactants and products listed below. Then balance the equation using the oxidation state method. What is being oxidized and reduced? What is the oxidizing agent and the reducing agent?
H2C2O4(aq) + MnO41-(aq) + H+(aq) ---> CO2(aq) + Mn2+(aq) + H2O(l)
unbalanced equation
H2C2O4(aq) + MnO4-(aq) + H+(aq)? CO2(aq) + Mn2+(aq) + H2O(l)
Write oxidation number of each atom
half reactions are
O represents oxidation
R represents reduction
Mn is reduced, Mn is oxidizing agent
C is oxidized, C is reducing agent
Balance the atoms except H and O
O:
H2C2O4 ? 2CO2
R:
MnO4- ? Mn2+
Balance the oxygen atoms
O:
H2C2O4 ? 2CO2
R:
MnO4- ? Mn2+ + 4H2O
Balance the hydrogen atoms
by adding protons (H+).
O:
H2C2O4 ? 2CO2 + 2H+
R:
MnO4- + 8H+ ? Mn2+ + 4H2O
Balance the charge
O:
H2C2O4 ? 2CO2 + 2H+ + 2e-
R:
MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- ? Mn2+ + 4H2O
O:
H2C2O4 ? 2CO2 + 2H+ + 2e-
Multiply by 5
R:
MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- ? Mn2+ + 4H2O
Multiply by 2
O:
5H2C2O4 ? 10CO2 + 10H+ + 10e-
R:
2MnO4- + 16H+ + 10e- ? 2Mn2+ + 8H2O
Add the half-reactions together.
5H2C2O4 + 2MnO4- + 16H+ + 10e- ?10CO2 + 2Mn2+ + 10H+ + 8H2O + 10e-
Simplify the equation.
5H2C2O4 + 2MnO4- + 6H+ ? 10CO2 + 2Mn2+ + 8H2O