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Mn₂O₇ is acidic whereas MnO is basic

User Atraudes
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Final answer:

MnO is basic because it forms hydroxide ions when reacting with water, while Mn₂O₇ is acidic as it can release protons into the solution.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is asking why Mn₂O₇ is acidic, while MnO is basic. Generally, metal oxides react with water to produce basic solutions. Manganese(III) oxide, Mn₂O₃, is basic because manganese is in the +3 oxidation state and can react with water to form hydroxide ions.

In contrast, manganese(VII) oxide Mn₂O₇ is acidic because it can react with water to release protons (H+). The basicity or acidity of oxides is related to the oxidation states of the central metal atom; higher oxidation states typically lead to more acidic oxides.

User Lorond
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