Final answer:
To oxidize benzoin to benzil, two copper (II) ions are required as each can accept one electron and the process requires two electrons in total. The correct answer is d.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks how many copper (II) ions are required per benzoin molecule converting to a benzil molecule. The conversion of benzoin to benzil is an oxidation process. In oxidation, benzoin (which has a hydroxyl group) is converted to benzil (which now has a carbonyl group in place of the hydroxyl). This involves the removal of hydrogen atoms and the addition of oxygen to the substrate, which is typically accompanied by the loss of electrons (oxidation).
In the context of copper (II) ions, we need to understand how many electrons each copper ion can accept. As the copper is in the +2 oxidation state, it means it can accept 2 electrons to be reduced to copper (0) state. Knowing that it is a 2-electron process, we can conclude that one molecule of benzoin would require two copper (II) ions to be oxidized to benzil, as each copper (II) ion can accept one electron. Thus, the answer would be d. 2.