IGCSE/GCSE/O & A Level/IB/University Student Forum

Qualification => Subject Doubts => GCE AS & A2 Level => Sciences => Topic started by: ruby92 on May 09, 2010, 07:10:20 pm

Title: chem doubt
Post by: ruby92 on May 09, 2010, 07:10:20 pm

can someone please explain disproportionation.
how do we identify this
eg m/j 2008 paper 2 chemistry 5 d??? ??? ???

Title: Re: chem doubt
Post by: Saladin on May 09, 2010, 07:11:42 pm

CIE or Edexcel?

Title: Re: chem doubt
Post by: nid404 on May 09, 2010, 07:13:17 pm

 A disproportionation reaction is one in which a single substance is both oxidised and reduced.

Title: Re: chem doubt
Post by: Saladin on May 09, 2010, 07:16:54 pm

Quote from: nid404 on May 09, 2010, 07:13:17 pm

A disproportionation reaction is one in which a single substance is both oxidised and reduced.

Precisely.

This is an example:
(http://www.chemguide.co.uk/inorganic/redox/mghcl1.gif)
(http://www.chemguide.co.uk/inorganic/redox/mghcl2.gif)
In other words, it is when, one element exists in different oxidation states in the products of the reaction!