Question:

Write the ionic equations for the oxidising action of potassium permanganate for its reaction with I- (iodide) in both acidic and alkaline solutions.

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Potassium permanganate (KMnO 4 ) is a strong oxidising agent. The product it forms depends on the medium. In acidic medium MnO 4 - is reduced from Mn(+7) all the way to Mn 2+ (a 5-electron change).
Updated On: Jun 16, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Concept: Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) is a strong oxidising agent. The product it forms depends on the medium. In acidic medium MnO4- is reduced from Mn(+7) all the way to Mn2+ (a 5-electron change). In alkaline (or neutral) medium it is reduced only to MnO2, where Mn is +4 (a 3-electron change). Iodide ion I- is oxidised in each case.
Answer:
In acidic solution (iodide is oxidised to iodine):
2 MnO4- + 16 H+ + 10 I- → 2 Mn2+ + 8 H2O + 5 I2
Here each Mn gains 5 electrons (purple MnO4- becomes colourless Mn2+).
In alkaline solution (iodide is oxidised to iodate):
2 MnO4- + H2O + I- → 2 MnO2 + 2 OH- + IO3-
Here MnO4- is reduced to brown MnO2 (Mn goes from +7 to +4), and iodide is oxidised to iodate IO3-.
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