Question

Give a balanced equation for the following reaction:

Acidified potassium permanganate and oxalic acid.

Answer 1

The reaction between acidified potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) and oxalic acid (H₂C₂O₄) is a redox reaction, where:

• KMnO₄ is reduced from Mn⁷⁺ to Mn²⁺
• Oxalic acid is oxidised to carbon dioxide.

\[\ce{2MnO^-_4 + 5H2C2O4 + 6H+ -> 2Mn^{2+} + 10CO2 + 8H2O}\]