Question
Question: How is chlorine prepared using \(KMn{O_4}\)?...
How is chlorine prepared using KMnO4?
Solution
KMnO4 is a powerful oxidizing agent in neutral, alkaline and acidic medium. So, in an acidic solution, potassium permanganate can oxidize chloride ions to chlorine gas.
Complete step by step answer:
Chlorine gas can be prepared by the action of concentrated HCl and KMnO4 in cold.
Chlorine gas evolved by this process contains impurities of HCl and water vapor. It can be purified by bubbling through water and concentratedH2SO4. Water absorbs the traces of HCl and concentrated H2SO4 absorbs moisture. The Cl2 thus obtained is collected by the upward displacement of air. This method is generally used in the laboratory to prepare Cl2.
Note:
Chlorine is the most abundant element in the halogen family. It was discovered by Scheele in 1774. He prepared it by heating HCl and MnO2 then gave the name oxymuriatic acid. Later Davy in 1810 identified it as a new element and gave the name chlorine because of its greenish yellow color. The name ‘Chlorine’ is derived from the Greek word chloros, which means greenish yellow.
Due to its high reactivity nature Cl2 does not occur in free state in nature.