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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: murmelburmel on September 12, 2019, 08:31:21 AM

Title: Redox reaction issue with SO3 + H2O2 -> ? (in basic medium)
Post by: murmelburmel on September 12, 2019, 08:31:21 AM
(Basic medium!) My idea so far:

SO32- + H2O2  :rarrow: SO42- + H2O

Oxidation: SO32- + 2OH-  :rarrow: SO42- + H2O +2e-

Reduction: H2O2 :rarrow: H2O
...and here is the problem. I don't get the two sides balanced with OH- and H2O. Probably something really simple I'm missing but just can't figure it out.
Title: Re: Redox reaction issue with SO3 + H2O2 -> ? (in basic medium)
Post by: Babcock_Hall on September 12, 2019, 09:38:03 AM
You have not clearly stated what the question is and how much information you were given; therefore, it is difficult to tell what the question is vs. what is your work.  Your reduction half-cell does not show any electrons.
Title: Re: Redox reaction issue with SO3 + H2O2 -> ? (in basic medium)
Post by: murmelburmel on September 12, 2019, 03:36:25 PM
Sorry, I thought it was clear from the headline. The task is letting SO3 react with H2O2. We are not given a product. I thought SO4 and H2O would be the most likely so that's what I went with. I didn't add electrons because I learned to do those last. The problem is I don't get the atoms equal on both sides. Is H2O even right as the product of that reduction?
Title: Re: Redox reaction issue with SO3 + H2O2 -> ? (in basic medium)
Post by: sjb on September 12, 2019, 03:47:31 PM
Is SO3 sulfite (sulfate(IV) if you must) or sulfur trioxide? You use both which might be where the confusion is arising? As it is SO32- + H2O2  :rarrow: SO42- + H2O is balanced....
Title: Re: Redox reaction issue with SO3 + H2O2 -> ? (in basic medium)
Post by: AWK on September 12, 2019, 03:53:55 PM
https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Peroxymonosulfuric_acid
Title: Re: Redox reaction issue with SO3 + H2O2 -> ? (in basic medium)
Post by: murmelburmel on September 12, 2019, 05:59:02 PM
Is SO3 sulfite (sulfate(IV) if you must) or sulfur trioxide? You use both which might be where the confusion is arising? As it is SO32- + H2O2  :rarrow: SO42- + H2O is balanced....

Thank you. It's all supposed to be sulfite, just left the charge out when replying (which yes, it looks confusing reading it again).

What about the problem with the reduction part? Any idea why I can't get the atoms balanced on both sides?