Chem Lab Oxidation of Manganese

Question

a student conducts an experiment in which mn2+ reacts with another substance and is converted to mno42-. is mn2+ the oxidizing agent or the reducing agent, and how manyelectrons does it gain or lose?Chem lab question.

Answer 1

The permanganate ion is MnO₄^-, not MnO₄^2-

 

The oxidation number of the manganese in permanganate is +7 (oxidation number of O is -2, 4(-2)=-8, charge on ion is -1, so +7 needed to balance charge).

In order to convert Mn²⁺ to Mn⁺⁷,5 electrons must be removed per ion.

Mn²⁺ would be the reducing agent and it is oxidized in the process.

Incidently, it is more common for the reverse reaction to occur.