Q.The Mn3+ ion is unstable in solution and undergoes disproportionation to give Mn2+, MnO2, and H+ ion. Write a balanced ionic equation for the reaction.
🔒You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.
🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Redox Reaction Stoichiometry
Redox Reaction Stoichiometry – From Intuition to Precision
Imagine you're balancing a seesaw. On one side, electrons are being lost; on the other, they're being gained. The seesaw stays level only when the number of electrons lost equals the number gained. That's the core idea behind redox stoichiometry.
The Intuition: Electrons Are the Currency
In any redox reaction, two things happen simultaneously:
- Oxidation: a substance loses electrons (its oxidation state increases).
- Reduction: a substance gains electrons (its oxidation state decreases).
Think of electrons as money. If one person gives away ₹10, another must receive exactly ₹10. You can't have ₹5 floating in the air. Similarly, the total number of electrons lost in oxidation must equal the total number of electrons gained in reduction.
This simple equality is what makes redox stoichiometry work. It's not about balancing atoms first — it's about balancing electrons first.
The Precise Statement
Total electrons lost (by reducing agent)=Total electrons gained (by oxidising agent)
This equality is the foundation of the half-reaction method (also called the ion-electron method) for balancing redox equations.
How It Works in Practice
Let's walk through a classic example: the reaction between permanganate ions (MnO4−) and iron(II) ions (Fe2+) in acidic medium.
Step 1: Write the two half-reactions (unbalanced).
Oxidation half: Fe2+→Fe3++e−
Reduction half: MnO4−+8H++5e−→Mn2++4H2O
Notice: iron loses 1 electron per atom, while permanganate gains 5 electrons per ion.
Step 2: Balance electrons between the halves.
To make electrons lost = electrons gained, multiply the oxidation half by 5:
5Fe2+→5Fe3++5e−
Now both halves involve 5 electrons.
Step 3: Add the halves and cancel common terms.
5Fe2++MnO4−+8H+→5Fe3++Mn2++4H2O
The electrons cancel because they appear on opposite sides. The equation is now balanced in both atoms and charge.
Always check that the net charge on both sides is equal after balancing. In the example above: left side charge = 5(+2)+(−1)+8(+1)=+17; right side = 5(+3)+(+2)+0=+17. Matches perfectly.
Why This Matters for Exams
In Indian board exams (CBSE, ICSE, state boards), redox stoichiometry appears in two main forms:
- Balancing equations using the half-reaction method (acidic or basic medium).
- Titration calculations where you use the electron equality to find unknown concentrations.
For titrations, the key formula is:
n2n1=M2V2M1V1 …
The key idea is Redox Reaction Stoichiometry: balancing a disproportionation reaction where the same species (Mn³⁺) is both oxidised and reduced.
Step 1 – Identify half-reactions.
Mn³⁺ is reduced to Mn²⁺ (gain of 1 e⁻):
Mn3++e−→Mn2+
Mn³⁺ is oxidised to MnO₂ (loss of electrons). In acidic medium:
Mn3++2H2O→MnO2+4H++e−
Step 2 – Equalise electrons.
Both half-reactions involve 1 e⁻, so they combine directly.
Step 3 – Add and simplify. …
The key idea is that Mn³⁺ disproportionates — one Mn³⁺ is oxidised to MnO₂ and another is reduced to Mn²⁺ — and the balanced ionic equation is 2Mn3++2H2O→Mn2++MnO2+4H+.
Disproportionation is a special kind of redox reaction where a single species (here, Mn³⁺) acts as both the oxidising agent and the reducing agent. One part of it gets oxidised (loses electrons, oxidation number increases) and another part gets reduced (gains electrons, oxidation number decreases). The trick is to figure out the two products and then balance atoms and charge.
Let’s work through it.
- Identify the oxidation states. In Mn³⁺, manganese is in the +3 oxidation state. In Mn²⁺, it’s +2 — that’s a decrease of 1 electron per ion (reduction). In MnO₂, oxygen is −2 each, so Mn must be +4 — that’s an increase of 1 electron per ion (oxidation). So the disproportionation is:
Mn3+→Mn2+(reduction, gain of 1 e−)
Mn3+→MnO2(oxidation, loss of 1 e−)
-
Balance the electron transfer.
Each Mn³⁺ that becomes Mn²⁺ gains 1 electron. Each Mn³⁺ that becomes MnO₂ loses 1 electron. So the electrons already cancel if we take one of each — but we also need to balance atoms, especially oxygen. That’s where water and H⁺ come in.
-
Write the half-reactions in acidic medium.
Reduction half:
Mn3++e−→Mn2+
Oxidation half: Mn³⁺ to MnO₂. Start with:
Mn3+→MnO2
Balance oxygen by adding water:
Mn3++2H2O→MnO2
Balance hydrogen by adding H⁺:
Mn3++2H2O→MnO2+4H+
Now balance charge: left side has +3, right side has +4 (from 4H⁺). So add 1 electron to the right:
Mn3++2H2O→MnO2+4H++e−
- Combine the half-reactions. The reduction half gives 1 electron, the oxidation half gives 1 electron — they cancel directly. Add them:
(Mn3++e−→Mn2+)+(Mn3++2H2O→MnO2+4H++e−)
Cancel the electrons: …
Showing the 12 most recent of 27 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-FN1 markMCQQ.Observe the following unbalanced equation aS8(s)+bOH−(aq)→cS2−(aq)+dS2O3−2(aq)+eH2O(l) From the balanced equation, identify the correct relations from the following sets I. a+b=c+d+e+1 II. b=2e+d III. b−a=c+e+1 IV. b+d=2c+e−1 The correct answer is (A) I, II, III only (B) II, IV only (C) I, III only (D) I, IV only
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests balancing a disproportionation redox equation (S8 in basic medium disproportionating to sulfide and thiosulfate) and then verifying algebraic relations among the balanced coefficients. Answer: I, III only.
Concept and Intuition
Sulfur (S8, oxidation state 0) disproportionates in hot alkali into sulfide ion S2− (oxidation state −2, reduced) and thiosulfate S2O32− (average oxidation state +2, oxidized) — a classic disproportionation reaction. Balancing such an equation requires matching sulfur atoms, oxygen atoms, hydrogen atoms, and total charge simultaneously, which pins down the unique smallest-integer set of coefficients; once found, any proposed algebraic relation among a,b,c,d,e can simply be checked by substitution.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Set up conservation equations for aS8+bOH−→cS2−+dS2O32−+eH2O:
- Sulfur: 8a=c+2d
- Oxygen: b=3d+e
- Hydrogen: b=2e
- Charge: −b=−2c−2d⇒b=2c+2d
- From H: e=b/2. Substitute into O: b=3d+b/2⇒b/2=3d⇒b=6d, so e=3d.
- From charge: c=(b−2d)/2=(6d−2d)/2=2d.
- From S: 8a=c+2d=2d+2d=4d⇒a=d/2, i.e. d=2a.
- Take a=1⇒d=2, b=6d=12, e=3d=6, c=2d=4. Balanced: S8+12OH−→4S2−+2S2O32−+6H2O.
- Verify: S: 8=4+4 ✓; O: 12=2(3)+6=12 ✓; H: 12=2(6)=12 ✓; charge: −12=−2(4)−2(2)=−12 ✓.
- Check I: a+b=1+12=13; c+d+e+1=4+2+6+1=13 — equal, holds. …
- Set up conservation equations for aS8+bOH−→cS2−+dS2O32−+eH2O:
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-AN1 markMCQQ.Consider the unbalanced equation given below a Cr(OH)3+b IO3−+c OH−→d CrO42−+e I−+f H2O Identify the correct statements/equations given below I. Cr(OH)3 is reduced to CrO42− II. a+b+c=7 III. a+c=d+f IV. IO3− acts as an oxidizing agent in this reaction The correct answer is (A) I, II, IV only (B) II, IV only (C) I, III only (D) I, II, III, IV
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests redox balancing by the ion-electron (half-reaction) method in basic medium, then checking derived arithmetic relations among the balanced coefficients.
Concept and Intuition
Cr(OH)3 has Cr3+; in CrO42−, Cr is +6 — so chromium is oxidized, losing 3 electrons. IO3− has I5+; in I−, iodine is −1 — so iodine is reduced, gaining 6 electrons. Balancing means matching the electrons lost to electrons gained (2 Cr atoms per 1 I atom), then balancing O and H with OH−/H2O since the medium is basic.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Oxidation half-reaction: Cr(OH)3+5OH−→CrO42−+4H2O+3e− (check: O: 3+5=8 left, 4+4=8 right; H: 3+5=8 left, 8 right; charge: −5 left, −2−3=−5 right ✓).
- Reduction half-reaction: IO3−+3H2O+6e−→I−+6OH− (check: O: 3+3=6 left, 6 right; H: 6 left, 6 right; charge: −1−6=−7 left, −1−6=−7 right ✓).
- Multiply oxidation ×2 to match 6 electrons: 2Cr(OH)3+10OH−→2CrO42−+8H2O+6e−.
- Add to the reduction half-reaction and cancel 6e− and common OH−/H2O: 2Cr(OH)3+IO3−+4OH−→2CrO42−+I−+5H2O. So a=2, b=1, c=4, d=2, e=1, f=5.
- Check each statement:
- I: "Cr(OH)3 is reduced to CrO42−" — false, it's oxidized (+3→+6).
- II: a+b+c=2+1+4=7 — true. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.If the molar masses of Na2S2O3 and I2 are M1 and M2 respectively, then the equivalent weights of Na2S2O3 and I2 in the following reaction are respectively 2Na2S2O3+I2→2NaI+Na2S4O6 (A) M1,M2 (B) M1,2M2 (C) 2M1,M2 (D) 2M1,M2
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests computing n-factors (and hence equivalent weights) from a redox half-reaction analysis of the iodine–thiosulfate reaction. The equivalent weights are M1 (thiosulfate) and M2/2 (iodine).
Concept and Intuition
Equivalent weight =n-factormolar mass, where the n-factor is the number of electrons gained or lost per formula unit in the redox change. For thiosulfate/iodine, the n-factor is fixed by how the sulfur oxidation states change on going to tetrathionate — this is a classic, frequently tested case because the S atoms in S2O32− and S4O62− are not all in the same oxidation state (there's a S–S bond), so you must track average oxidation state carefully.
Step-by-Step Solution
- In S2O32−, the 2 sulfur atoms have an average oxidation state of +2 (one S is +5-like, the other −1-like, structurally).
- In S4O62− (tetrathionate), the 4 sulfur atoms have average oxidation state +2.5 (computed from 4S+6(−2)=−2⇒S=+2.5).
- Two S2O32− ions (4 S atoms total, avg +2) combine to form one S4O62− (4 S atoms, avg +2.5): total oxidation state increase =4×0.5=2 electrons lost, spread over 2 moles of Na2S2O3. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.Observe the following unbalanced reactions KO2HOHX+Y↑+KOH KMnO4Xbasic mediumY+Z+KOH+H2O Y and Z are respectively (A) O2, MnO (B) O2, MnO2 (C) O3, MnO2 (D) O3, MnO
›Reveal solutionSolution
KO2 hydrolysis gives H2O2 (X) and O2 (Y); H2O2 then reduces KMnO4 in basic medium to MnO2 (Z), also releasing O2 (Y) — so Y, Z are O2, MnO2.
Concept and Intuition
Potassium superoxide (KO2, containing the superoxide ion O2−) disproportionates on contact with water into hydrogen peroxide and oxygen gas. In basic/neutral medium, KMnO4 is a milder oxidant than in acid — it is reduced only to MnO2 (Mn +4, a brown solid) rather than all the way to Mn2+, and H2O2 acting here as the reducing agent is itself oxidised to O2.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Reaction 1 — hydrolysis of superoxide: 2KO2+2H2O→2KOH+H2O2+O2↑. This identifies X=H2O2 and Y=O2.
- Reaction 2 — H2O2 (that's X) reacting with KMnO4 in basic medium: 2KMnO4+3H2O2→2MnO2+3O2+2KOH+2H2O. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-19-AN1 markMCQQ.KMnO4 oxidises iodide ions in both acidic and neutral media. The change in oxidation state of manganese in acidic, neutral media are x, y respectively. The sum of x and y is (A) 7 (B) 8 (C) 9 (D) 11
›Reveal solutionSolution
KMnO4 goes Mn7+→Mn2+ in acid (change 5) and Mn7+→Mn4+ in neutral medium (change 3); sum = 8.
Concept and Intuition
Permanganate's product of reduction depends strongly on the medium's pH: in strongly acidic conditions it is reduced all the way to the colourless Mn2+ ion (5-electron change), while in neutral or mildly alkaline conditions it is only reduced to brown insoluble MnO2 (3-electron change), because the more strongly reducing/protonating acidic environment stabilises the lower oxidation state product.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Acidic medium: MnO4−(Mn=+7)→Mn2+(Mn=+2); change in oxidation state x=7−2=5.
- Neutral medium: MnO4−(Mn=+7)→MnO2(Mn=+4); change in oxidation state y=7−4=3. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-AN1 markMCQQ.Observe the following unbalanced equation aS8+b OH−(aq)→cS2−(aq)+dS2O32−(aq)+eH2O(l) In the balanced equation, the ratio of c and d is (A) 1:2 (B) 2:1 (C) 1:3 (D) 3:1
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests disproportionation redox balancing of S8 in hot concentrated alkali. Sulfur (0) splits into S2− (−2, reduced) and S2O32− (avg. +2 per S, oxidised); the mole ratio c:d=2:1.
Concept and Intuition
When S8 is boiled with concentrated NaOH/KOH, sulfur undergoes disproportionation — the same element is simultaneously oxidised and reduced because it starts at an intermediate oxidation state (0) that can go both up and down. Some sulfur atoms are reduced to sulfide, S2− (−2), while others are oxidised to thiosulfate, S2O32−, where the average oxidation state of S works out to +2.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Assign oxidation states: S in S8 is 0. In S2−, S is −2. In S2O32−: total charge =−2, oxygens contribute 3×(−2)=−6, so 2x−6=−2⇒x=+2 (average per S atom).
- Electrons gained per S2− formed: 0→−2, i.e. 2 electrons gained per S atom.
- Electrons lost per S2O32− formed: each of its 2 S atoms goes from 0→+2 (loses 2 e−), so 2×2=4 electrons lost per S2O32−.
- Let aS8→cS2−+dS2O32−. Sulfur atom balance: 8a=c+2d. Electron balance: 2c (gained) =4d (lost) ⇒c=2d. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-AN1 markMCQQ.H2O2 with KMnO4 in acidic medium gives a manganese compound 'X' and in basic medium gives another manganese compound 'Y'. The oxidation state of manganese in X and Y, respectively are (A) +2, +4 (B) +4, +2 (C) +3, +4 (D) +4, +3
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests the well-known medium-dependence of KMnO4's reduction product: acidic medium takes Mn all the way from +7 to +2 (Mn2+), while basic/neutral medium stops the reduction at +4 (MnO2).
Concept and Intuition
KMnO4 is a versatile oxidising agent whose reduction product depends strongly on the pH of the medium, because the mechanism (and the number of electrons transferred to reach a stable Mn species) differs:
- In strongly ACIDIC medium, MnO4− (Mn +7) is reduced by a 5-electron step directly to the pale-pink/colourless Mn2+ (Mn +2).
- In NEUTRAL or BASIC medium, MnO4− is reduced by only a 3-electron step to the brown insoluble MnO2 (Mn +4), since further reduction to Mn2+ is not favoured under those conditions. This distinction is a classic inorganic-chemistry fact tested repeatedly in competitive exams.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Identify the reaction context: H2O2 reduces KMnO4, with H2O2 itself being oxidised to O2.
- In ACIDIC medium: 2MnO4−+5H2O2+6H+→2Mn2++5O2+8H2O. Product X = Mn2+, oxidation state +2.
- In BASIC medium: 2MnO4−+H2O2→2MnO2+2OH−+O2+… (brown MnO2 precipitate forms). Product Y = MnO2, oxidation state +4. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set ap-2025-05-19-AN1 markMCQQ.In acid medium, dichromate oxidizes sulphite to sulphate. In this redox reaction, the oxidation state of sulphur changes from x to y. What is the value of (x+y)? (A) 8 (B) 6 (C) 10 (D) 12
›Reveal solutionSolution
Sulphur's oxidation state rises from +4 (sulphite) to +6 (sulphate), so x+y=4+6=10.
Concept and Intuition
In a redox reaction, we track the oxidation state of the atom being oxidized (or reduced) using the standard rule that oxygen is −2 in these oxoanions, and the sum of oxidation states equals the ion's overall charge.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Sulphite ion, SO32−: let S have oxidation state x. x+3(−2)=−2⟹x−6=−2⟹x=4
- Sulphate ion, SO42−: let S have oxidation state y. y+4(−2)=−2⟹y−8=−2⟹y=6 …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set ap-2025-05-19-FN1 markMCQQ.In acid medium dichromate oxidizes sulphite to sulphate as shown below. xCr2O72−+ySO32−+zH+⟶aCr3++bSO42−+cH2O Identify correct statements about this balanced equation I) Sum of x and y is 4 II) Sum of a and c is equals to (3+b) III) Sum of x,y and z is 11 (A) I, II, III (B) I, II only (C) I, III only (D) II, III only
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to balance the redox reaction using the ion-electron method (half-reactions) in acidic medium. The balanced equation is Cr2O72−+3SO32−+8H+⟶2Cr3++3SO42−+4H2O, so x=1, y=3, z=8, a=2, b=3, c=4. Checking the statements: I (1+3=4) true, II (2+4=6 equals 3+3=6) true, III (1+3+8=12, not 11) false. Hence only I and II are correct, option (B).
Concept & Intuition: Redox Reaction Stoichiometry
This is a classic redox reaction where dichromate (Cr2O72−) is the oxidizing agent (it gets reduced) and sulfite (SO32−) is the reducing agent (it gets oxidized). In acidic medium, we balance each half-reaction separately — first for atoms (other than H and O), then for oxygen using water, then for hydrogen using H+, and finally for charge using electrons. Once both half-reactions are balanced, we multiply them by appropriate factors so that the number of electrons lost equals the number gained. Adding them gives the full balanced equation. The coefficients x,y,z,a,b,c are then determined, and we can test each statement.
Step-by-step solution
- Write the reduction half-reaction (dichromate to chromium(III))
- Dichromate ion: Cr2O72− contains two Cr atoms, each going from +6 to +3, so total gain of 2×3=6 electrons.
- Balance oxygen: add 7 water molecules to the right.
- Balance hydrogen: add 14 H+ to the left.
- Balance charge: left side charge = −2+14=+12; right side charge = 2×(+3)=+6. To balance, add 6 electrons to the left.
- Balanced reduction half-reaction:
Cr2O72−+14H++6e−⟶2Cr3++7H2O
- Write the oxidation half-reaction (sulfite to sulfate)
- Sulfite ion: SO32− (S oxidation state +4) becomes sulfate SO42− (S oxidation state +6), so each S loses 2 electrons.
- Balance oxygen: add one water molecule to the left.
- Balance hydrogen: add 2 H+ to the right.
- Balance charge: left side charge = −2; right side charge = −2+2=0. To balance, add 2 electrons to the right.
- Balanced oxidation half-reaction:
SO32−+H2O⟶SO42−+2H++2e−
- Equalize electrons transferred
- Reduction gains 6 electrons; oxidation loses 2 electrons per sulfite. To match, multiply the oxidation half-reaction by 3:
3SO32−+3H2O⟶3SO42−+6H++6e−
- Add the half-reactions
- Add the reduction and the multiplied oxidation half-reaction. Cancel the 6 electrons on both sides. …
- Write the reduction half-reaction (dichromate to chromium(III))
- AP EAPCET 2025Set ap-2025-05-20-FN1 markMCQQ.In acidic medium MnO4− oxidises NO2− to NO3−. How many moles of NO2− are oxidised by 10 moles of MnO4−? (A) 20 (B) 10 (C) 25 (D) 15
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is an electron-balance (equivalent) redox stoichiometry question. 10 moles of MnO4− oxidise 25 moles of NO2−.
Concept and Intuition
In acidic medium, MnO4− (Mn: +7) is reduced to Mn2+ (+2), a 5-electron gain per MnO4−. NO2− (N: +3) is oxidised to NO3− (N: +5), a 2-electron loss per NO2−. For the redox reaction to balance, total electrons lost must equal total electrons gained.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Half-reactions: MnO4−+8H++5e−→Mn2++4H2O (5 e⁻ per Mn).
- NO2−+H2O→NO3−+2H++2e− (2 e⁻ per N). …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set ap-2025-05-20-FN1 markMCQQ.In which of the following reactions of H2O2, dioxygen is evolved? (only = only) I) With HOCl in acidic medium II) With permanganate in acidic medium III) With permanganate in basic medium (A) I & II only (B) I, II & III (C) II & III only (D) I & III only
›Reveal solutionSolution
H2O2 behaves as a reducing agent (getting oxidised to O2) in reactions with strong oxidants like HOCl and permanganate, whether the medium is acidic or basic — so all three listed reactions evolve dioxygen.
Concept and Intuition
Hydrogen peroxide can act as either an oxidising agent (itself reduced to H2O) or a reducing agent (itself oxidised to O2), depending on the other reactant. Against strong oxidants such as acidified/basic permanganate or hypochlorous acid, H2O2 is the one being oxidised, and dioxygen gas is released as the product.
Step-by-Step Solution
- I) H2O2+HOCl→H3O++Cl−+O2 — H2O2 reduces HOCl, releasing O2. Evolves O2.
- II) In acidic medium: 2MnO4−+5H2O2+6H+→2Mn2++5O2+8H2O. Evolves O2. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-AN1 markMCQQ.H2O2 reduces KMnO4 in acidic medium to 'x' and in basic medium to 'y'. What are x and y? (A) x=MnO2, y=Mn2+ (B) x=Mn2+, y=MnO2 (C) x=MnO42−, y=Mn2+ (D) x=MnO2, y=MnO42−
›Reveal solutionSolution
H2O2's reducing action on permanganate depends on medium: acidic gives Mn2+, basic/neutral gives MnO2 — so x=Mn2+, y=MnO2.
Concept and Intuition
KMnO4 is a versatile oxidizer whose reduced product depends heavily on the pH of the medium, because the reduction half-reactions available to Mn(VII) change with H+/OH− concentration. H2O2 here plays the reducing agent, itself being oxidized to O2. In strongly acidic conditions, permanganate is reduced all the way to the pale pink Mn2+ ion (a 5-electron reduction). In neutral or basic conditions, the reduction stops at the brown MnO2 precipitate (a 3-electron reduction), since the deeper reduction to Mn2+ requires the H+ ions that acidic medium supplies.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Acidic medium: 2MnO4−+6H++5H2O2→2Mn2++8H2O+5O2 — so x=Mn2+. …
🎓Unlock everything free for 14 days
- ✓Full step-by-step solutions
- ✓Concept-first explanations
- ✓Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
- ✓PYQ mapping + timed mock tests
Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.