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Topic: Predicting REDOX reactions  (Read 4188 times)

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777888

  • Guest
Predicting REDOX reactions
« on: October 21, 2004, 03:34:18 PM »
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!

Tetrahedrite

  • Guest
Re:Predicting REDOX reactions
« Reply #1 on: October 21, 2004, 07:34:53 PM »
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

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