Question

Write a balanced equation for the following reaction: 

Sodium sulphite and acidified potassium permanganate.

Answer 1

When sodium sulphite (Na₂SO₃) reacts with acidified potassium permanganate (KMnO₄), a redox reaction occurs: Sulphite ion \[\ce{(SO^2-_3)}\] is oxidised to sulphate \[\ce{(SO^2-_4)}\] Permanganate ion \[\ce{(MnO^-_4 )}\] is reduced to Mn²⁺.

\[\ce{2MnO^-_4 + 5SO^2-_3 + 6H+ -> 2Mn^2+ + 5SO^2-_4 + 3H2O}\]