[lebermm]

i need help balancing the following equation:
KMnO₄ + H₂SO₄+ CH₃OH + (? H₂O) CH₂O + ?_x + (products) ?
ya know what i mean for some reason i just am not getting how the KMnO₄ is disasosiating and reacting for this rxn. driving me crazy PLEASE HELP

i am curious what the equation is also  for the rxn of KMnO₄ and formaldehyde to formic acid

[Borek]

http://www.google.com/search?q=redox+permanganate

Almost every linked page contains hints for your reaction.

[lebermm]

i have seen that info befor for some reason it wont click mabey
(KMnO₄ + 3CH3OH  3CH₂O + 3H₂) why am i not getting this it is crazy im not used to it not making sence lol

[Arkcon]

OK, if you want to figure it out for yourself, at least balance the elements on each side of the equation.  You know that the methanol is oxidized, so you know something is reduced.  What is the oxidizer?  becaus ethat is being reduced.  And what does it reduce to?  What does reduction mean?  You can use a dictionary if you don't care for your textbook's explanation.

This is how we help on this forum.  We give hints, to help you learn, so you do better on the exam, when they change the problem slightly.

[lebermm]

im sorry i guess i didn't read the forum rules, guilty as charged
that is precisely the reason people don't ask enough question to quench there thirst for knowledge, because they are all afraid they will run into someone condescending and rude. i know people might think that because we are chemistry nerds we don't know how to talk to people butt come on honestly

[Borek]

that is precisely the reason people don't ask enough question to quench there thirst for knowledge, because they are all afraid they will run into someone condescending and rude

We are not kid eaters. We are more than happy to help someone who have tried and hit the wall, unfortunately most people coming here ask questions first, try to do their leg work later (if ever).

If you will follow links from google search you will see that quite often one simple cation appears between reaction products.

[lebermm]

thank you i do understand that but i have seen free radicals produce by KMnO4 im confused about which one it is