Question

Difficulty: MediumOxidation Numbers and IUPAC Nomenclature of Redox Species

Complete the following statement regarding manganese redox species by filling in the correct numerical oxidation states.

Answer:In potassium manganate(VI), K2MnO4K_2MnO_4, the oxidation state of the central manganese atom is 【+6】, whereas in potassium tetraoxomanganate(VII), KMnO4KMnO_4, the oxidation state of manganese is 【+7】.

Answer

The oxidation state of manganese in K2MnO4K_2MnO_4 is +6, and in KMnO4KMnO_4 it is +7.
In potassium manganate(VI), K2MnO4K_2MnO_4, two potassium ions yield a +2+2 total charge and four oxide ions yield 8-8, requiring manganese to be +6+6 to balance to zero. In potassium tetraoxomanganate(VII), KMnO4KMnO_4, one potassium ion (+1+1) and four oxide ions (8-8) leave manganese at +7+7.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Calculate the oxidation state of manganese in K2MnO4K_2MnO_4.
Assign standard oxidation numbers: K=+1K = +1 and O=2O = -2. For the neutral molecule K2MnO4K_2MnO_4, 2(+1)+Mn+4(2)=0    +2+Mn8=0    Mn=+62(+1) + \text{Mn} + 4(-2) = 0 \implies +2 + \text{Mn} - 8 = 0 \implies \text{Mn} = +6.
The sum of oxidation states in a neutral chemical compound must equal zero.
2
Calculate the oxidation state of manganese in KMnO4KMnO_4.
Assign standard oxidation numbers: K=+1K = +1 and O=2O = -2. For the neutral molecule KMnO4KMnO_4, 1(+1)+Mn+4(2)=0    +1+Mn8=0    Mn=+71(+1) + \text{Mn} + 4(-2) = 0 \implies +1 + \text{Mn} - 8 = 0 \implies \text{Mn} = +7.
The sum of oxidation states in a neutral chemical compound must equal zero.

Key Concept

Determining oxidation states of central transition metal atoms in oxoanions and neutral salts.
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