When sodium chlorate (I), NaClO is heated, sodium chlorate (V) and sodium chloride are formed. What is the ionic equation for this reaction? What type of reaction is this?

1 Answer
anor277
Dec 9, 2017

This is a #"disproportionation reaction"#, in which chlorine is #"OXIDIZED"# and #"REDUCED..."#

Explanation:

#"Oxidation:"#
#stackrel(I^+)ClO^(-) + 2H_2Orarr stackrel(V^+)ClO_3^(-)+4H^+ +4e^(-)# #(i)#

#"Reduction:"#
#stackrel(I^+)ClO^(-) + 2H^+ + 2e^(-) rarr stackrel(""^(-)I)Cl^(-)+H_2O# #(ii)#

And so we takes....#(i)+2xx(ii)#

#stackrel(I^+)ClO^(-) +2stackrel(I^+)ClO^(-) cancel(+2H_2O+ 4H^+ + 4e^(-))rarr stackrel(V^+)ClO_3^(-)+2stackrel(""^(-)I)Cl^(-)cancel(+4H^+ +2H_2O+4e^(-))#

...to give....after cancellation....

#stackrel(I^+)ClO^(-) +2stackrel(I^+)ClO^(-) rarr stackrel(V^+)ClO_3^(-)+2stackrel(""^(-)I)Cl^(-)#

Chlorine is simultaneously reduced and oxidized....i.e. a #"disproportionation..."#

Is this balanced with respect to mass and charge? Don't trust my 'rithmetic....

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