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A latimer diagram for in basic solution which one is unstable and disproportionation
Accepted Answer
A Latimer diagram shows the standard reduction potentials for various oxidation states of an element. To determine instability and disproportionation in basic solution, you'd need the Latimer diagram for the element in question under basic conditions. Here's how to analyze it:
Unstable Species: The species with the most positive reduction potential is the most unstable.
Disproportionation: Look for pairs of species where the reduction potential of the higher oxidation state is more positive than the oxidation potential of the lower oxidation state. Disproportionation is likely for the intermediate species.
For example, if you had a Latimer diagram for chlorine in basic solution, you'd be looking for the most positive potential for ClO4-, ClO3-, ClO2-, ClO-, and Cl-. You'd also look for cases where the reduction potential of a higher oxidation state is more positive than the oxidation potential of the lower one (e.g., ClO3- to ClO2- and ClO2- to ClO-).
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