Write down the reactions in which ClO2 is created

[Ondina]

Homework Statement

Write down the reactions in which ClO2 is created from KClO3 and H2SO4

Homework Equations

KClO3 + H2C2O4 + H2SO4 = ClO2 + CO2 + K2SO4 + H2O

The Attempt at a Solution

I've attempted and have written down several reacions, or. attempted to, but the part that I find problematic is, that the problem states, that you should write down reactions, as in plural, and that confuses me greatly, so I was hoping that someone might have a solution or me
KClO3 + H2C2O4 + H2SO4 = ClO2 + CO2 + K2SO4 + H2O
or maybe
H2C2O4 + 2 KClO3 = K2CO3 + CO2 + 2 ClO2 + H2O
or
H2SO4 + KClO3 --> K2SO4 + ClO2 + H2O

 

[Borek]

Strange question and I have no idea what it really asks for.

You need some redox process here, as chlorine in ClO₂ and KClO₃ have different oxidation states. You can either reduce KClO₃ (in which case it is not "just KClO₃ and H₂SO₄", as you need an additional reducing agent - like oxalic acid), or you can look for disproportionation (that is, KClO₃ reacts with itself producing both ClO₂ and some product with more oxidized chlorine - say, potassium perchlorate). No idea if the latter reaction is at all possible.

 

[leafjerky]

Maybe they just want you to balance it? Sometimes the answers that seem most difficult are just from poor instruction. It wouldn't hurt to anyways.

3 KCLO3 + 3 H2SO4 = 3 KHSO4 + HCLO4 + 2 CLO2 + H2O