VWhat are the products for Na + SnCl4 - Metal + Salt? This is a single displacement reaction.

Question

VWhat are the products for Na + SnCl4 -> Metal + Salt? This is a single displacement reaction.

jfraser · Answer

If the general form lists "metal" as one of the products, the tin must be reduced completely to Sn, not Sn+2. The full reaction should be$$4Na(s) + SnCl{_4} \rightarrow 4NaCl + Sn(s)$$

anonymous · Answer

@ jfraser yeah , i agree with ur answer .
gud job .Thanx

anonymous · Answer

ohh.. but doesn't Sn have an oxidation of +2 or +4? How will I know?

jfraser · Answer

since the problems says "metal" by itself, it has to be Sn with no charge. Metals only have oxidation states of other than zero when they are combined with some non-metal ion.

anonymous · Answer

ohh.. thank you!