MnO4+C2O42-=Mn2+ +CO2
a good start -- but to what?
The given equation represents a redox reaction in which potassium permanganate (MnO4-) reacts with potassium oxalate (C2O42-) to produce manganese(II) ions (Mn2+) and carbon dioxide (CO2). To balance the equation, we can follow these steps:
Step 1: Split the equation into two half-reactions
MnO4- → Mn2+
C2O42- → CO2
Step 2: Balance the atoms other than oxygen and hydrogen in each half-reaction
MnO4- → Mn2+ (Already balanced)
C2O42- → 2CO2
Step 3: Balance the oxygen atoms by adding water molecules to the appropriate side of each half-reaction
MnO4- + 4H2O → Mn2+ (Already balanced)
C2O42- → 2CO2 + 2H2O
Step 4: Balance the hydrogen atoms by adding H+ ions to the appropriate side of each half-reaction
MnO4- + 4H2O → Mn2+ + 8H+
C2O42- → 2CO2 + 2H2O
Step 5: Balance the charges by adding electrons (e-) to the appropriate side of each half-reaction
MnO4- + 4H2O + 8e- → Mn2+ + 8H+
C2O42- → 2CO2 + 2H2O
Step 6: Equalize the number of electrons in both half-reactions by multiplying them by appropriate factors:
MnO4- + 4H2O + 8e- → Mn2+ + 8H+
5C2O42- → 10CO2 + 10H2O
Step 7: Combine the two half-reactions and cancel out the common terms
5C2O42- + 8MnO4- + 32H2O → 10CO2 + 16Mn2+ + 32H+
Therefore, the balanced equation is:
5C2O42- + 8MnO4- + 32H2O → 10CO2 + 16Mn2+ + 32H+
The given chemical equation represents a redox reaction between permanganate ion (MnO4-) and oxalate ion (C2O42-). The reaction proceeds as follows:
MnO4- + C2O42- → Mn2+ + CO2
To balance this equation, we need to ensure that the number of atoms on both sides of the equation is equal. Let's go through the process step by step:
Step 1: Balance all the atoms except for oxygen and hydrogen.
MnO4- + C2O42- → Mn2+ + CO2
Step 2: Balance oxygen atoms by adding water molecules (H2O) to the side that needs more oxygen.
MnO4- + C2O42- → Mn2+ + CO2 + H2O
Step 3: In acidic conditions, balance hydrogen atoms by adding hydrogen ions (H+).
MnO4- + C2O42- + 8 H+ → Mn2+ + CO2 + H2O
Step 4: Balance the charges by adding electrons (e-) to the side that needs more negative charges.
MnO4- + C2O42- + 8 H+ + 5 e- → Mn2+ + CO2 + H2O
Step 5: Finally, ensure the number of electrons on both sides is equal.
2 MnO4- + 5 C2O42- + 16 H+ → 2 Mn2+ + 10 CO2 + 8 H2O
Therefore, the balanced chemical equation is:
2 MnO4- + 5 C2O42- + 16 H+ → 2 Mn2+ + 10 CO2 + 8 H2O