Answer to Question #165160 in Inorganic Chemistry for Sushil

Question

In which red or reaction different atoms of same substance change oxidation numbers

Answer 1

In a disproportionation reaction an element in one oxidation state is simultaneously oxidised and reduced, it is a special type of redox reaction. One of the reacting substances in a disproportionation reaction always contains an element that can exist in at least three oxidation states. The element in the form of reacting substance is in the intermediate oxidation state; and both higher and lower oxidation states of that element are formed in the reaction.

Examples

$P_{4}(s)+3OH^{-}(aq)+3H_{2}O(l)\rightarrow PH_{3}(g)+\\3H_{2}PO_{2}^{-}(aq)$

$2H_{2}O_{2}(aq)\rightarrow 2H_{2}O(l)+O_{2}(g)$