Question

What is the n factor of ${\mathrm{KMNO}}_4$ in basic medium?

Answer 1

n-factor:

• n-factor is used in redox reactions.
• It is used to determine the number of electrons gained or lost per atom during a reaction.

The reactions of ${\mathbf{KMnO}}_{\mathbf{4}}$ are as follows:

• In acidic medium: ${\mathrm{MnO}}_4^{-}+8{\mathrm{H}}^{+}+5{\mathrm{e}}^{-}\to {\mathrm{Mn}}^{2+}+4{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$
• In neutral medium: ${\mathrm{MnO}}_4^{-}+4{\mathrm{H}}^{+}+3{\mathrm{e}}^{-}\to {\mathrm{MnO}}_2+2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$
• In basic medium: ${\mathrm{MnO}}_4^{-}+{\mathrm{e}}^{-}\to {\mathrm{MnO}}_4^{2-}$

Here $\mathrm{n}$ is the number of electrons gained and in the basic medium, the number of electron is $1$.

Thus, n factor of ${\mathbf{KMnO}}_{\mathbf{4}}$ in a basic medium is $\mathbf{1}$.