Interaction | Reaction | Process     Data Page

A solution of oxalate ion (ethanedioate ion) is oxidised by permanganate, manganate(VII), to carbon dioxide which effervesces.

Both of the reacting ions are both anions and they repel each other and the reaction starts very slowly. However, reaction is "autocatalysed" by one of the products, Mn2+, which switches between the Mn(II) and Mn(III) states.

The Mn3+ is made in situ by the oxidation of Mn2+ to Mn2+ by manganate(VII), permanganate ion.

5
[C2O4]2–
  +  
2
[MnO4]–
  +  
16
H+
  +  
Mg2+
         
10
CO2
  +  
2
Mg2+
  +  
8
H2O
Reactant Page Go To Go To
Oxalate dianion     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Permanganate ion     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Proton     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Manganese(II) ion Catalyst    Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Carbon dioxide     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Manganese(II) ion     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Water     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming

Interaction, Reaction, Process defined as:
British A-Level Chemistry: A2
Effervescence
Oxidation: Of Substrate By Reagent
Redox

© Mark R. Leach 1999 –

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