Question

Why is HCl not used to make the medium acidic in oxidation reaction of $KMnO_{4}$ in acidic medium?

• A. Both HCl and $KMnO_{4}$ act as oxidizing agents
• B. $KMnO_{4}$oxidizes HCl into $Cl_{2}$ which is also an oxidizing agent.
• C. $KMnO_{4}$is a weaker oxidizing agent than HCl.
• D. $KMnO_{4}$acts as a reducing agent in the presence of HCl.

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

$KMnO_{4}$oxidizes HCl into $Cl_{2}$ which is also an oxidizing agent.

Answer 2

In case HCl is used, it is oxidized to $Cl_{2}$

$2KMnO_{4} + 16HCl \rightarrow 2KCl + 2MnCl_{2} + 8H_{2}O + 5Cl_{2}$