What is disproportion reaction? Explain with an example.

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Answer 1 · 2018-03-13T07:59:13

You mean a $disproportionation reaction...$ $"disproportionation reaction..."$

...in which a reagent is SIMULTANEOUSLY oxidized and REDUCED.

$N O_{2}$ $NO_2$ , $N (+ I V)$ $N(+IV)$ , can be disproportioned to give nitric acid, $N (+ V)$ $N(+V)$ , and $N O$ $NO$ , $N (+ I I)$ $N(+II)$ ...

$N O_{2} (g) + H_{2} O (l) \to H N O_{3} (a q) + H^{+} + e^{-}$ $NO_2(g) +H_2O(l)rarr HNO_3(aq)+H^(+) +e^(-)$ $(i)$ $(i)$

$Nitric oxide N(+IV) is reduced to nitrogen oxide N(+II)....$ $"Nitric oxide N(+IV) is reduced to nitrogen oxide N(+II)...."$

$N O_{2} (g) + 2 H^{+} + 2 e^{-} \to N O (a q) + H_{2} O (l)$ $NO_2(g) +2H^(+) + 2e^(-) rarr NO(aq)+H_2O(l)$ $(i i)$ $(ii)$

And so we add $2 \times (i) + (i i)$ $2xx(i)+(ii)$ to get....

$2NO_2(g) +cancel(2)H_2O(l)+NO_2(g) +cancel(2H^(+) + 2e^(-))rarr 2HNO_3(aq)+cancel(2H^(+) +2e^(-))+NO(aq)+cancel(H_2O(l))$

..to give finally....

$3NO_2(g) +H_2O(l)rarr 2HNO_3(aq)+NO(aq)$

..which is balanced with respect to mass and charge...as required.