Question 19.3: Balancing Redox Reactions Occurring in Basic Solution Balanc...
Balancing Redox Reactions Occurring in Basic Solution
Balance the equation occurring in basic solution:
I^{-}(a q)+ MnO _4 ^{-}(a q) \longrightarrow I_{2}(a q)+ MnO _2(S)
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To balance redox reactions occurring in basic solution, follow the half-reaction method outlined in Examples 19.1 and 19.2, but add an extra step to neutralize the acid with OH^{-} as shown in step 3.
1. Assign oxidation states. | ![]() |
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2. Separate the overall reaction into two half-reactions. | Oxidation: I^{-}(a q) \longrightarrow I_{2}(a q)
Reduction: MnO _4 ^{-}(a q) \longrightarrow MnO _2(S) |
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3. Balance each half-reaction with respect to mass.
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\left\{\begin{array}{l} 2 I ^{-}(a q) \longrightarrow I _2(a q) \\ MnO _4{ }^{-}(a q) \longrightarrow MnO _2(s) \end{array}\right.
\left\{\begin{array}{l} 2 I ^{-}(a q) \longrightarrow I _2(a q) \\ MnO _4{ }^{-}(a q) \longrightarrow MnO _2(s) +2 H_{2}O (l)\end{array}\right.
\left\{\begin{array}{l} 2 I ^{-}(a q) \longrightarrow I _2(a q) \\ 4 H^{+}(aq)+MnO _4{ }^{-}(a q) \longrightarrow MnO _2(s) +2 H_{2}O (l)\end{array}\right.
\left\{\begin{array}{l} 2 I ^{-}(a q) \longrightarrow I _2(a q) \\ \underbrace{4 H^{+}(aq)+4 OH^{-}(aq) }_{4 H_{2}O (l) }+MnO _4{ }^{-}(a q) \longrightarrow MnO _2(s) +2 H_{2}O (l) + 4 OH^{-}(aq)\end{array}\right. |
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4. Balance each half-reaction with respect to charge. | 2 I ^{-}(a q) \longrightarrow I _2(a q) +2 e^{-}
4 H_{2}O (l) +MnO _4{ }^{-}(a q)+3 e^{-} \longrightarrow MnO _2(s) +2 H_{2}O (l) + 4 OH^{-}(aq) |
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5. Make the number of electrons in both half-reactions equal. | 3[2 I ^{-}(a q) \longrightarrow I _2(a q) +2 e^{-}]
6 I ^{-}(a q) \longrightarrow 3 I _2(a q) +6 e^{-} 2[4 H_{2}O (l) +MnO _4{ }^{-}(a q)+3 e^{-} \longrightarrow MnO _2(s) +2 H_{2}O (l) + 4 OH^{-}(aq)]
8 H_{2}O (l) +2 MnO _4{ }^{-}(a q)+6 e^{-} \longrightarrow 2 MnO _2(s) +4 H_{2}O (l) +8 OH^{-}(aq) |
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6. Add the half-reactions together. | 6 I ^{-}(a q) \longrightarrow 3 I _2(a q) +\cancel{6 e^{-}}
4 \cancel{8} H_{2}O (l) +2 MnO _4{ }^{-}(a q)+\cancel{6 e^{-}} \longrightarrow2 MnO _2(s) +\cancel{4 H_{2}O (l)}+8 OH^{-}(aq) \\ \overline{6 I ^{-}(a q)+ 4 H_{2}O (l) +2 MnO _4{ }^{-}(a q) \longrightarrow 3 I _2(a q)+2 MnO _2(s) +8 OH^{-}(aq)} |
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7. Verify that the reaction is balanced. |
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