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.