The reaction of MnO4- with oxalic acid (H2C2O4) in aciic solutiob, yielding Mn2+ and CO2 gas, is widely used to determine the concentration of permanganate solutions.

(a) write a balanced equation for the reaction

would it be MnO4- + H2C2O4 --> Mn2C2O4 + H2O + O3-?????

oh never mind--I got it!!!

(I did half reactions...)

To write a balanced equation for the reaction between MnO4- and H2C2O4, we need to ensure that the number of atoms on both sides of the equation is equal. Let's break down the reaction step by step:

1. Start by writing the chemical formula for each compound:
MnO4- + H2C2O4 → Mn2+ + CO2

2. Balance the atoms that are not hydrogen (H) or oxygen (O) first. In this case, we have only one manganese (Mn) atom on each side, so it is already balanced.

3. Next, balance the hydrogen atoms. On the reactant side, we have 2 hydrogen (H) atoms in H2C2O4, while on the product side, we have 4 hydrogen (H) atoms in H2O. To balance the hydrogen, we insert a coefficient of 2 in front of H2O:

MnO4- + H2C2O4 → Mn2+ + 2H2O + CO2

4. Lastly, balance the oxygen atoms. On the reactant side, we have 8 oxygen (O) atoms in MnO4- and 4 oxygen (O) atoms in H2C2O4, making a total of 12 oxygen (O) atoms. On the product side, we have 4 oxygen (O) atoms in 2H2O and 2 oxygen (O) atoms in CO2, making a total of 6 oxygen (O) atoms. To balance the oxygen, we insert a coefficient of 6/4 (or 3/2) in front of MnO4-:

3/2 MnO4- + H2C2O4 → Mn2+ + 2H2O + CO2

Therefore, the balanced equation for the reaction of MnO4- with H2C2O4 is:

3/2 MnO4- + H2C2O4 → Mn2+ + 2H2O + CO2