What is disproportion reaction? Explain with an example.

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Answer 1 · 2018-03-13T07:59:13

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

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

$NO_2$ , $N(+IV)$ , can be disproportioned to give nitric acid, $N(+V)$ , and $NO$ , $N(+II)$ ...

$NO_2(g) +H_2O(l)rarr HNO_3(aq)+H^(+) +e^(-)$ $(i)$

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

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

And so we add $2xx(i)+(ii)$ 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.