Question

When the following skeletal equation is balanced under basic conditions, what are the coefficients of the species shown?

F- + ClO4-  =  F2 + ClO3-

Water appears in the balanced equation as a (reactant, product, neither) with a coefficient of . (Enter 0 for neither.)

Which species is the oxidizing agent?

Answer 1

F in F- has oxidation state of -1

F in F2 has oxidation state of 0

So, F in F- is oxidised to F2

F- is reducing agent

Cl in ClO4- has oxidation state of +7

Cl in ClO3- has oxidation state of +5

So, Cl in ClO4- is reduced to ClO3-

ClO4- is oxidising agent

Reduction half cell:

ClO4- + 2e- --> ClO3-

Oxidation half cell:

2 F- --> F2 + 2e-

Number of electrons is same in both half reactions.

So, balancing of electrons is not required. It's already balanced

Lets combine both the reactions.

ClO4- + 2 F- --> ClO3- + F2

Balance Oxygen by adding water

ClO4- + 2 F- --> ClO3- + F2 + H2O

Balance Hydrogen by adding H+

ClO4- + 2 F- + 2 H+ --> ClO3- + F2 + H2O

Add equal number of OH- on both sides as the number of H+

ClO4- + 2 F- + 2 H+ + 2 OH- --> ClO3- + F2 + H2O + 2 OH-

Combine H+ and OH- to form water

ClO4- + 2 F- + 2 H2O --> ClO3- + F2 + H2O + 2 OH-

Remove common H2O from both sides

Balanced Eqn is

ClO4- + 2 F- + H2O --> ClO3- + F2 + 2 OH-

This is balanced chemical equation in basic medium

Answer:

Coefficient are: 2, 1, 1, 1

H2O appear in reactant and coefficient is 1

ClO4- is oxidising agent