What if the Solution Type for a Redox Reaction Isn't Given?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the handling of redox reactions when the type of solution (acidic, basic, or neutral) is not specified. Participants explore how to approach balancing these reactions under uncertainty regarding the solution type.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests starting with the assumption of a neutral solution when the type is not given.
  • Another participant notes that different oxidizers behave differently depending on the pH, mentioning specific examples like MnO4- and CrO4-2, and highlighting the complexity of balancing reactions without additional information.
  • A participant expresses a need for resources to determine the products of certain substances in redox reactions, indicating a desire for more guidance.
  • Another participant provides information on common reduction products for substances like permanganate and chromate, while cautioning that redox potential tables can sometimes be misleading.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a single approach to take when the solution type is unspecified, indicating multiple competing views on how to handle the situation.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the need for additional information to accurately balance redox reactions and the potential for misleading results from redox potential tables.

Who May Find This Useful

Students and practitioners interested in redox chemistry, particularly those dealing with balancing reactions under uncertain conditions.

kandi2008
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Redox reactions can take place in both acid or basic solutions, that I know. But, what if the type of solution in which the reaction occurs is not given? Am I to assume it is acid or basic?
 
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Better start with neutral.

If in doubt you may try to balance knowing that in general oxidizers like MnO4- or CrO4-2 (Cr2O7-2) are effecitve in low pH, Cl2, ClO- - in basic. But then MnO4- works in basic (it gets reduced to MnO4-2), in neutral (MnO2) and acidic (Mn2+), so this approach can require additional information.
 
Thank you. That definitely helps. But, where would I be able to find what certain substances reduce to? That would be a huge help.
 
Permanganate you already know, chromate or dichromate goes to Cr+3, chlorine (bromine, iodine) to Cl-. These are most common, others require more experience - and the only more or less sure method of finding out products is to check redox potentials in tables. But even that can be misleading.
 

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