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Question 56

In order to oxidise a mixture of 1 mole each of $$\text{FeC}_2\text{O}_4$$, $$\text{Fe}_2(\text{C}_2\text{O}_4)_3$$, $$\text{FeSO}_4$$ and $$\text{Fe}_2(\text{SO}_4)_3$$ in acidic medium, the number of moles of $$\text{KMnO}_4$$ required is :

First write the reduction half-reaction for permanganate in acidic medium:

$$\text{MnO}_4^- + 8H^+ + 5e^- \;\rightarrow\; \text{Mn^{2+}} + 4H_2O$$

Every mole of $$\text{KMnO}_4$$ therefore accepts $$5$$ electrons.

Next find how many electrons are released when the given mixture is completely oxidised.

Iron centres
Fe is present as $$\text{Fe}^{2+}$$ in $$\text{FeC}_2\text{O}_4$$ and $$\text{FeSO}_4$$, and as $$\text{Fe}^{3+}$$ in $$\text{Fe}_2(\text{C}_2\text{O}_4)_3$$ and $$\text{Fe}_2(\text{SO}_4)_3$$.

• $$\text{Fe}^{2+} \rightarrow \text{Fe}^{3+} + e^-$$ (loss of one electron)

Number of $$\text{Fe}^{2+}$$ moles = 1 (from $$\text{FeC}_2\text{O}_4$$) + 1 (from $$\text{FeSO}_4$$) = 2

Electrons released by iron = $$2 \times 1 = 2$$

Oxalate ions
In acidic medium $$\text{C}_2\text{O}_4^{2-}$$ is oxidised to $$2\,\text{CO}_2$$:

$$\text{C}_2\text{O}_4^{2-} \rightarrow 2\text{CO}_2 + 2e^-$$

Each oxalate ion therefore releases 2 electrons.

Moles of oxalate ions present:
 • 1 from $$\text{FeC}_2\text{O}_4$$
 • 3 from $$\text{Fe}_2(\text{C}_2\text{O}_4)_3$$

Total oxalate moles = $$1 + 3 = 4$$

Electrons released by oxalate = $$4 \times 2 = 8$$

Total electrons released by the mixture
$$2 (\text{from Fe}) + 8 (\text{from oxalate}) = 10$$

Moles of $$\text{KMnO}_4$$ required
Since each mole of $$\text{KMnO}_4$$ accepts 5 electrons,

$$\text{Moles of } \text{KMnO}_4 = \frac{10 \text{ electrons}}{5 \text{ electrons per mole}} = 2$$

Hence, the number of moles of $$\text{KMnO}_4$$ needed is 2.

Option B which is: $$2$$

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