Question

What is meant by ‘disproportionation’? Give two examples of disproportionation reaction in aqueous solution.

Answer 1

It is found that sometimes a relatively less stable oxidation state undergoes an oxidation­−reduction reaction in which it is simultaneously oxidised and reduced. This is called disproportionation.

For example,

Cr(V) is oxidized to Cr(VI) and reduced to Cr(III).

Mn (VI) is oxidized to Mn (VII) and reduced to Mn (IV).