Question

Given below are two statements :

Statement I : H\(_2\)O\(_2\) can act as both oxidising and reducing agent in basic medium.

Statement II : In the hydrogen economy, the energy is transmitted in the form of dihydrogen.

In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below :

• A. Both statement I and statement II are false
• B. Statement I is false but statement II is true
• C. Statement I is true but statement II is false
• D. Both statement I and statement II are true

Hint:

H₂O₂ has oxygen in the -1 state, so it can be oxidised to O₂ or reduced to OH^-. The hydrogen economy is based on storing and transporting energy as dihydrogen.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Statement I: oxygen in H₂O₂ is in the -1 state, intermediate between 0 (O₂) and -2 (H₂O/OH^-). In basic medium it oxidises, e.g. \(\mathrm{Mn^{2+} + H_2O_2 + 2OH^- \rightarrow MnO_2 + 2H_2O}\) (H₂O₂ is reduced), and it reduces, e.g. \(\mathrm{2MnO_4^- + 3H_2O_2 \rightarrow 2MnO_2 + 3O_2 + 2H_2O + 2OH^-}\) (H₂O₂ is oxidised). So it acts as both an oxidising and a reducing agent in basic medium: Statement I is true.
Statement II: the basic principle of the hydrogen economy is the storage and transportation of energy in the form of liquid or gaseous dihydrogen. Statement II is true.
Answer: (4) Both statement I and statement II are true