- The oxidation state of the manganese atom
changes from +7 as in
to +4 as in
.
- There are one
ion.
- Reducing each
- Similarly, the oxidation state of the chlorine atom
changes from -1 as in
to 0 as in
.
- It takes two
- Oxidizing every two
Three molecules contain six chlorine atoms. Three
would thus correspond to six
ions.
Combining six , two
ions, three
ions, and two
would balance the changes in oxidation state.
(NOT BALANCED)
Still, the product side lacks four oxygen atoms.
- In an acidic environment, oxygen atoms would combine with protons to produce water.
- In a basic environment (like this one,) there are nearly no protons for oxygen atoms to combine with. Oxygen atoms will likely combine with water to produce hydroxide ions.
Each oxygen atom combine with a water molecule to produce two hydroxide ions. Adding four water molecules and eight hydroxide ions would balance the equation.