Question

5Fe2+ + MnO4- + 8H+ yields 5Fe3+ + Mn2+ + 4H2O

In the equation above,

A: H+ ions are reduced
B: Fe2+ ions are oxidized
C: H+ is the oxidizing agent
D: MnO4- is the reducing agent

Answer 1

I believe that the answer is either A. H+ ions are reduced or D. Mn04- is the reducing agent.

Answer 2

Answer: Option (D) is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

A reducing agent is defined as an element or compound which accepts electron(s) and its oxidation number reduces.

For example,
`5Fe^(2+) + MnO^(-)_(4) + 8H^(+) \rightarrow 5Fe^(3+) + Mn^(2+) + 4H_(2)O`

Here, oxidation state of
`Fe^(2+)` changes to
`Fe^(3+)`, that is, it is oxidizing.

Whereas oxidation state of
`MnO^(-)_(4)` changes from
`Mn^(2+)`, that is, changes from +7 to +2.

This means
`MnO^(-)_(4)` is the reducing agent.