Is this Redox Reaction Balanced Correctly?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the balancing of a redox reaction involving nitric oxide (NO) and permanganate ion (MnO4-) in a basic solution. Participants are examining the correctness of various proposed balanced equations and the methodology for achieving balance in redox reactions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a balanced equation: NO + MnO4- → NO3- + MnO2, claiming it is balanced with 5 electrons on each side.
  • Another participant suggests an atomic-based electron balance approach, proposing the equations N^{2+} → N^{5+} + 3e^- and Mn^{7+} + 5e^- → Mn^{2+} as a method to achieve balance.
  • A third participant presents a different balanced equation: 5NO + 3MnO4- = 5NO3- + 3MnO2, questioning its correctness.
  • One participant mentions that a classmate believes the original reaction was already balanced and expresses uncertainty about the validity of both claims.
  • Another response critiques the previous attempts, noting that while atom counts may be correct, ionic counts were overlooked and emphasizes the need to account for OH- ions in basic solutions.
  • This participant also asserts that in basic solutions, permanganate is reduced to manganese dioxide, suggesting a different balanced equation involving real forms: NO + KMnO4 → KNO3 + MnO2.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether the original reaction is balanced correctly, with some supporting the original equation and others proposing alternative balances. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the correctness of the various proposed equations.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made about the conditions of the reaction (basic solution) and the definitions of the species involved. The participants have not fully resolved the mathematical steps necessary for confirming the balance of the reactions.

nautica
Balance in basic (check my work)

NO + MnO4- ------ NO3- + MnO2

4OH- + 4H+ + NO ---- NO3- + 2H2O + 4OH-
4OH- + 4H+ + MnO4- --- MnO2 + 2H2O + 4OH-
Balanced with 5 e- on each side

2H2O + NO + MnO4- ----- NO3- + MnO2 + 8OH-

Thanks
Nautica
 
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You need help, my friend :smile:

First, prepare atomic-based electron balance:

[tex]N^{2+} \longrightarrow N^{5+} + 3e^-[/tex]
[tex]Mn^{7+}+5e^- \longrightarrow Mn^{2+}[/tex]

Then balance them.

[tex]5N^{2+}+3Mn^{7+}\longrightarrow 5N^{5+}+3Mn^{2+}[/tex]

You'll see that both electron counts and atom counts are balanced now.

When you write the "real" ions, I mean, NO and MnO4-, you'll have to add OH- and H2O to the side with less oxygen and less hydrogen, etc.
 
Cool, this is what I got

5NO + 3MNO4 = 5NO3 + 3MnO2

It appears that all are balanced. Does this look right.
Thanks
nautica
 
Another class mate said that the original reaction was already balanced. He said he worked through it and kept coming up with the original equation.

Could this be right? Or does mine look fine?

Thanks
Nautica
 
nautica said:
Cool, this is what I got

5NO + 3MNO4 = 5NO3 + 3MnO2

It appears that all are balanced. Does this look right.
Thanks
nautica

Well, it seems that atom counts are okay, but you've forgotten ionic counts. This is why redox reactions are hard to study.

You said that this redox should be in basic solution; so just put OH- ions to the left side. However, there is a serious error; in basic solutions, permanganate is only reduced to manganese dioxide, as you correctly wrote. So the coefficients cancel to reflect this:

[tex]N^{2+}+Mn^{7+}\longrightarrow N^{5+}+Mn^{4+}[/tex]

So if we write its real forms, we'll get this one:

[tex]NO + KMnO_4 \longrightarrow KNO_3 + MnO_2[/tex]
 

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