Question

help balancing a redox question?

Answer 1

CN- + MnO4 -> CNO- + MnO2

Answer 2

@zepdrix

Answer 3

I think it is:

2CN- + MnO4 > 2CNO- + MnO2

Everything should be equal/balanced now.

Answer 4

First you seperated to two equation and try to balance each by adding water and electrons.

CN- -> CNO. and. MnO4 ->MnO2

Answer 5

Oxidation(we are adding an oxygen so this is an indicate an oxidation) CN- --->CNO-
Reduction(gaining electrons) MnO4--->MnO2
if you look at the left and side of the oxidation CN are present on both sides so we need to gave a balanced by adding a single O to the left side so water is added.
H2O+CN- --->CNO- + 2H+ +2e- (1)
Balance the charges we have -1 charge on the left and +1 on the right side, the only way to balance the charges we must add up electrons.
3e-+4H+ + MnO4- --->MnO2+2H2O(2)
Balance electrons by multiplying the chemical equation 1 by 3 and (2) by 2
3H2O+3CN- --->3CNO- + 6H+ +6e- (1)
6e-+8H+ + 2MnO4- --->2MnO2+4H2O(2)
Cancel electrons out, cross out H2O and H+ and add them up.
3CN-+2H++2MnO4- -->3CNO-+2MnO2+H2O

Answer 6

you need to specify whether this is done in base or acid.

Answer 7

yes you are right @aaronq