will fe3+ oxidize Sn2+ to Sn4+ in acidic solution?

Look up Fe^3+ + e ==> Fe^2+ and

Sn^2+ ==> Sn^4+ + 2e
add Eocell and check if the number is positive.
I think it will. As I recall in one of the determinations I did in quant (many years ago), we used Sn^2+ to oxidize Fe^2+ to Fe^3+ before titrating with KMnO4.

Yes, Fe3+ can oxidize Sn2+ to Sn4+ in acidic solution. Here are the steps involved:

1. Write down the balanced half-reactions for both the oxidation and reduction processes:

Reduction: Sn2+ + 2e- → Sn4+
Oxidation: Fe3+ → Fe2+ + 1e-

2. Balance the number of electrons in both half-reactions by multiplying the oxidation half-reaction by 2:

Reduction: 2Sn2+ + 4e- → 2Sn4+
Oxidation: 2Fe3+ → 2Fe2+ + 2e-

3. Multiply the oxidation half-reaction by the appropriate factor to balance the number of electrons in both half-reactions. In this case, the oxidation half-reaction will be multiplied by 2.

Reduction: 2Sn2+ + 4e- → 2Sn4+
Oxidation: 4Fe3+ → 4Fe2+ + 4e-

4. Add the balanced half-reactions together:

2Sn2+ + 4e- + 4Fe3+ → 2Sn4+ + 4Fe2+ + 4e-

5. Simplify the equation by canceling out the electrons:

2Sn2+ + 4Fe3+ → 2Sn4+ + 4Fe2+

Therefore, in an acidic solution, Fe3+ can oxidize Sn2+ to Sn4+.

To determine if Fe3+ will oxidize Sn2+ to Sn4+ in acidic solution, you need to examine the standard reduction potentials of the two half-reactions involved.

The half-reaction for the oxidation of Sn2+ to Sn4+ can be written as:
Sn2+ → Sn4+ + 2e-

The standard reduction potential for this half-reaction can be found in a table of standard reduction potentials. Let's assume the value is Eo1.

The half-reaction for the reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ can be written as:
Fe3+ + e- → Fe2+

The standard reduction potential for this half-reaction can also be found in a table of standard reduction potentials. Let's assume the value is Eo2.

To determine if Fe3+ will oxidize Sn2+ to Sn4+ in acidic solution, we compare the two standard reduction potentials. If Eo1 is greater than Eo2, then the reaction is thermodynamically favorable, and Fe3+ will oxidize Sn2+ to Sn4+.

However, if Eo1 is less than Eo2, then the reaction is not thermodynamically favorable, and Fe3+ will not oxidize Sn2+ to Sn4+.

So, to find the answer to your question, you need to consult a table of standard reduction potentials and compare the values for Sn2+ → Sn4+ and Fe3+ → Fe2+ in acidic solution.