Chemical Forums
Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: 777888 on October 21, 2004, 03:34:18 PM
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Question: A piece of copper is added to KMnO4 (acidic solution), predict the redox reaction.
How can I know which one is oxidizing agent and which one is reducing agent? (Becuase I have to find out that and choose the strongest oxidizing and reducing agent!)
Please help me!
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To find which species will be reduced or oxidised you must look at the standard electrode potentials:
MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- --> Mn2+ + 4H2O E= 1.51V
Cu2+ + 2e- --> Cu E=0.34V
As you can see MnO4- has a much larger reduction potential and will therefore be reduced
The Cu will obviously be oxidised to Cu2+
Combining the above equations so as to eliminate the electrons we get:
5Cu + 2MnO4- + 16H+ --> 5Cu2+ + 2Mn2+ + 8H2O E= 1.17V