MOLE CONCEPT/REDOX REACTIONS

1. The foul odour of dirty socks may be attributed to caproic acid, an organic acid made of
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. The results of combustion of a 0.450 g sample of caproic
acid indicate that it contains 0.279 g of C, 0.0467 g of H and 0.124 g of O. Calculate the
empirical and molecular formula of caproic acid, given that its molar mass is 116 gmol-1.
C 0.279 × 1mol ÷ 12.01g = 0.0232mol ÷ 0.0232 =1
H 0.0467 × 1mol ÷ 1.008g = 0.0463mol ÷ 0.0232 =2
O 0.124 × 1mol ÷ 16g = 7.8mol ÷ 0.0232 =2
Empirical formula =CH2O2
Molecular formula =CH4O4
[6]
2. A hydrocarbon, X gave 3.52 g of carbon dioxide and 1.62 g of water on complete
combustion. Calculate the empirical formula and molecular formula of X if its molar
mass is 114 gmol-1.
CxHy + O2 CO2 + H2O
3.52g CO2 × 1mol CO2 ÷ 44.01 × 1mol C ÷ 1mol CO2 =0.08g ÷ 0.08 =1
1.62g H2O × 1mol H20 ÷ 18.06 × 1mol H ÷ 1mol H20 = 0.18g ÷ 0.08 = 0.4 × 5 = 2
Empirical formula = CH2
Molecular formula = C8H1 [6]
3. The oxide of nitrogen formed when copper reacts with nitric acid is indicated by the
following equation:-
3Cu + 8H+ + 2NO3- → 3 Cu2+ + 4 H2O + 2NO
In warm, concentrated acid, NO2 is formed.
(a) Give the oxidation states of nitrogen in NO3-, NO2 and NO.
N O−¿¿
3 NO
¿ X + (−2 ) 3=¿−1 ¿ X + (−2 ) 1=0
¿ X −6 = -1 ¿ X −2=0
¿ X =6−1 ¿ N=+ 2
¿ N=+5

N O2
¿ X + (−2 ) 2=0
 ¿ X −4=0
¿ N=+ 4 [3]
(b) Identify, as oxidation or reduction, the formation of NO from NO3 in the presence of
-

H+ and deduce the half equation for the reaction. [2]

(c) Deduce the half-equation for the formation of NO2 from NO3 . -

N O−¿¿
3 NO2
−¿¿
N O3 NO2 + H2O
−¿¿
2H+ + N O3 NO2 + H2O
−¿¿
2H+ + N O3 +e- NO2
[1]
(d) Deduce the overall equation for the reaction of copper with NO 3- and H+ to produce
Cu2+ ions, NO2 and water.
Cu Cu2+ + 2e-
−¿¿
4H+ + 2 N O3 + 2e- 2 NO2 +2H2O

Cu Cu2+ + 2e-
4H+ + Cu + 2 NO3 Cu2+ + 2NO2 + 2H2O [2]
4. The manganite (VII) ion reacts in an acidic medium according to the half equation:-
MnO4 - (aq) + 8H+ (aq) + 5e → Mn2+ (aq) + H2O (l)
(a) (i) Define reduction and oxidation in terms of oxidation number.

Oxidation is defined as a chemical process in which oxidation number of the element

increases and reduction is defined as the chemical process in which oxidation number of
the element decreases. [2]

(ii) Identify the role played by the MnO4 - ion in the redox reaction above and
explain your answer in terms of oxidation number.
Mn is reduced, going from +7 to +2 [2]
(b) An aqueous solution of potassium iodide, KI, reacts with acidified MnO4– to form a
red-brown solution on completion of the reaction.
(i) Identify the species responsible for the red-brown colour.
KI solution [1]
(ii) Given that iodide ions react according to the following half equation:-
2I- (aq) → I2 (aq) + 2e
Deduce the equation for the redox reaction between MnO4- and I-.
2I- (aq) → I2 (aq) + 2e
MnO4- (aq) + 5e → Mn2+
MnO4- (aq) + 8H+ + 5e-→ Mn2+ (aq) + 4H2O(l)
MnO4- (aq) + 8H+ (aq) + 5 I- (aq) → 5 I2 (aq) + Mn2+ (aq) + 4H2O(l) [3]