question_answer 46)

  Consider the reactions : (a)\[{{H}_{2}}{{O}_{2}}+2HI\to {{I}_{2}}+2{{H}_{2}}O\] (b) \[HOCl+{{H}_{2}}{{O}_{2}}\to {{H}_{3}}{{O}^{+}}+C{{l}^{-}}+{{O}_{2}}\] which of the following statements is correct about \[{{H}_{2}}{{O}_{2}}\]with reference to these reactions? Hydrogen peroxide is (a) an oxidising agent in both (A) and (B)                               (b) an oxidising agent in (A) and reducing agent in (B) (c) a reducing agent in (A) and oxidising agent in (B) (d) a reducing agent in both (A) and (B)

Answer:

  (b) The oxidation number of iodine increases from -1 to 0, i.e., HI is oxidised in reaction (A). The oxidation number of chlorine decreases from +1 to -1, i.e., \[HOCl\]is reduced in reaction (B).