Chemical Forums

Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: arigatoni on November 13, 2020, 07:22:30 AM

Title: Can somebody tell me whats the answer to this question?
Post by: arigatoni on November 13, 2020, 07:22:30 AM
TI+1+2CE+4 = TI+3 +2CE+3
Which species acts as a catalyst? I am really confused.
Title: Re: Can somebody tell me whats the answer to this question?
Post by: mjc123 on November 13, 2020, 08:21:12 AM
It is a reaction between two species. Both are converted to different species. Neither can be considered a catalyst. Look up the definition of catalyst.
Title: Re: Can somebody tell me whats the answer to this question?
Post by: arigatoni on November 13, 2020, 09:40:04 AM
Makes sense. I know what a catalyst is thats why the question wasn't making any sense to me. Turns out i misread what i was asked...

The question gives me 3 mechanism and asks me to find the reaction
These are the steps I am given
Ce+4 + Mn+2 = Ce+3 + Mn+3
Ce+4+Mn+3 = Ce+3 +Mn+4
TI+4+Mn+4 = TI+3 + Mn+3
I am asked which one acts as a catalyst. But I am still having trouble finding the answer. Is the correct answer Mn+4 ?
Title: Re: Can somebody tell me whats the answer to this question?
Post by: mjc123 on November 13, 2020, 12:30:24 PM
Your third reaction is wrong because both ions are being reduced!
Title: Re: Can somebody tell me whats the answer to this question?
Post by: arigatoni on November 13, 2020, 01:54:48 PM
typo. Ok here is a picture. http://prntscr.com/vis65q (dont worry about the link its from an app called lightshot which is used for taking screenshots if you feel uncomfortable clicking the link tell me so i can upload a picture via the forum)
Title: Re: Can somebody tell me whats the answer to this question?
Post by: mjc123 on November 14, 2020, 05:47:58 PM
Oh, it's thallium. I thought you meant titanium, but were spelling Ti with a capital I. (Especially as you also wrote CE for cerium at first.) Do make an effort to be accurate in typing.

The first two reactions overall give
2Ce4+ + Mn2+  :rarrow: 2Ce3+ + Mn4+
(though writing it as two reactions implies that it occurs in two steps, not one.)
Combined with the third reaction, the overall process is
2Ce4+ + Tl+  :rarrow: 2Ce3+ + Tl3+
Note that there are no Mn species in this equation because you start with Mn2+ and end with Mn2+ (though it gets oxidised to Mn4+ and reduced back to Mn2+).
What do you think is the catalyst in all this?