Basic Applications

EXERCISE 8 Disproportionation Reactions

Disproportionation reaction are those in which a single element is simultaneously oxidized and reduced.

(1) For the following reaction
2H2O2 ---> 2H2O + O2

List the symbol of the element that undergoes disproportionation:
What is the total number of electrons lost in the oxidation half-reaction?
What is the total number of electrons lost in the reduction half-reaction?

(2) For the following reaction,
Cl2 + NaOH ---> NaClO + Cl-1 + H2O

List the symbol of the element that undergoes disproportionation:
What is the total number of electrons lost in the oxidation half-reaction?
What is the total number of electrons lost in the reduction half-reaction?