how to balance this redox reaction?

MnO4

+ C2O4

2 + H+ → Mn+2 + CO2 + H2O

The equation is :
MnO4- + C2H2O4  Mn2+ + CO2 + H2O

​The oxidation number of carbon increases from +3 to +4, thus oxidation number increases by 1 per atom or 2 per molecule. The oxidation number of Mn decreases from +7 to +2, thus oxidation number decreases by 5 per atom.

To balance the increase and decrease in oxidation number multiply MnO4- by 2 and C2H2O4 by 5.
2MnO4- + 5C2H2O4  2Mn2+ + CO2 + H2O

Balance all atoms except H and O
2MnO4- + 5C2H2O4  2Mn2+ + 10CO2 + H2O

This reaction takes place in acidic medium . The O and H atoms are balanced as:

Balance O atoms by adding equal number of H2O
2MnO4- + 5C2H2O4  2Mn2+ + 10CO2 + 8H2O

To balance H atoms added H+ ions on the side of deficient in H atoms:
2MnO4- + 5C2H2O4 +  6H+ 2Mn2+ + 10CO2 + 8H2O


 

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