What redox reaction occurs between #MnO_2# and #HCl#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-08-06T15:33:22

Try........

#MnO_2(s) + 4H^(+) +2Cl^(-) rarr Mn^(2+) + 2H_2O(l)+Cl_2(g) #

Manganese oxide is reduced to colourless #Mn^(2+)#:

#MnO_2(s) + 4H^(+) + 2e^(-) rarr Mn^(2+) + 2H_2O(l)# #(i)#

Chloride ion is oxidized to #Cl_2# gas:

#Cl^(-) rarr 1/2Cl_2(g) + e^(-)# #(ii)#

And so we add the equations together in a way such that the electrons are cancelled: #(i) + 2xx(ii)# gives........

#MnO_2(s) + 4H^(+) +2Cl^(-) rarr Mn^(2+) + 2H_2O(l)+Cl_2(g) #

Alternatively.........

#MnO_2(s) + 2H^(+) +2HCl(aq) rarr Mn^(2+) + Cl_2(g) +2H_2O(l)#

or.............

#MnO_2(s) + 4HCl(aq) rarr MnCl_2(aq) + Cl_2(g) +2H_2O(l)#