Write the chemical equation that oxidize oxalic acid to carbon dioxide and water
2H2C2O4 + O2==> 2H2O + 4CO2
The chemical equation for the oxidation of oxalic acid (C2H2O4) to carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) can be written as follows:
C2H2O4 + 2O2 → 2CO2 + 2H2O
In this equation, oxalic acid oxidizes when it reacts with oxygen gas (O2) to produce carbon dioxide and water.
To write the chemical equation for the oxidation of oxalic acid (H2C2O4) to carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O), we need to follow a step-by-step process. Here's how you can do it:
Step 1: Determine the balanced equation for the oxidation of oxalic acid.
The oxidation process involves the transfer of electrons. Oxalic acid is a reducing agent that loses electrons, while another species gains those electrons (in this case, oxygen). The balanced equation for the oxidation of oxalic acid is:
H2C2O4 + 2O2 → 2CO2 + 2H2O
Step 2: Identify the oxidized and reduced species.
In the balanced equation, the oxalic acid (H2C2O4) is being oxidized, which means it is losing electrons. The species being reduced, in this case, is oxygen gas (O2), which gains electrons.
Step 3: Assign oxidation numbers to each element.
To determine the oxidation state of each element, remember some key rules:
- The oxidation state of any element in its elemental form is zero.
- Hydrogen has an oxidation state of +1 unless it is bonded to a more electronegative element, in which case its oxidation state is -1.
- Oxygen has an oxidation state of -2 unless it is in a peroxide (such as H2O2) or bonded to a more electronegative element, in which case its oxidation state is -1.
Using these rules, we can assign oxidation numbers to each element in this reaction:
H2C2O4: The two hydrogen atoms each have an oxidation state of +1, and the four oxygen atoms each have an oxidation state of -2.
O2: Oxygen in its elemental form has an oxidation state of zero.
CO2: Carbon has an oxidation state of +4, and each oxygen atom has an oxidation state of -2.
H2O: Each hydrogen atom has an oxidation state of +1, and the oxygen atom has an oxidation state of -2.
Step 4: Determine the changes in oxidation numbers.
In the oxidation reaction, the oxidation state of carbon in oxalic acid changes from +3 to +4. The oxygen in O2 goes from 0 to -2. The carbon atom is being oxidized, while oxygen is being reduced.
Step 5: Write the balanced equation.
Using the balanced equation we determined in Step 1, we can now write the chemical equation:
H2C2O4 + 2O2 → 2CO2 + 2H2O
This equation represents the oxidation of oxalic acid to form carbon dioxide and water.