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
Dec 9, 2017

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

Explanation:

"Oxidation:"Oxidation:
stackrel(I^+)ClO^(-) + 2H_2Orarr stackrel(V^+)ClO_3^(-)+4H^+ +4e^(-)I+ClO+2H2OV+ClO3+4H++4e (i)(i)

"Reduction:"Reduction:
stackrel(I^+)ClO^(-) + 2H^+ + 2e^(-) rarr stackrel(""^(-)I)Cl^(-)+H_2OI+ClO+2H++2eICl+H2O (ii)(ii)

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