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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