Question

Why is $HCl$ not used to make the medium acidic in oxidation reactions of $KMn{O}_4$ in acidic medium?

• A. $KMn{O}_4$ acts as a reducing agent in the presence of $HCl$
• B. $KMn{O}_4$ is a weaker oxidising agent than $HCl$
• C. $KMn{O}_4$ oxidises $HCl$ into $C{l}_2$ which is also an oxidising agent
• D. Both $HCl$ and $KMn{O}_4$ act as oxidising agents

Answer 1

The correct option is C $KMn{O}_4$ oxidises $HCl$ into $C{l}_2$ which is also an oxidising agent

$HCl$ is not used to make the medium acidic in oxidation reactions of $KMn{O}_4$. The reason is that if $HCl$ is used, the oxygen produced from $KMn{O}_4+HCl$ is partly utilized in oxidizing $HCl$ to $C{l}_2$, which itself acts as an oxidizing agent and partially oxidises the reducing agent.