Question
What sorts of information can you draw from the following reaction?
(CN)2(g) + 2OH–(aq) → CN–(aq) + CNO–(aq) + H2O(l)
Solution
The oxidation number of carbon in (CN)2, CN- and CNO- are +3, +2 and +4 respectively. These are obtained as shown below:
(CN)2: Let the oxidation number of C =x
2(x-3) =0
X= 3
CN-
x-3= -1
x=2
CNO-
X-3-2 =-1
X= 4
(i) The reaction involves the decomposition of cyanogen (CN)2 in alkaline medium.
(ii) Both (CN)2 (i.e. cyanogen) and CN- (i.e., cyanide ions) are pseudo halogens in nature i.e. both behave like halogens in characteristics.
(iii) Cyanogen undergoes disproportionation in the reaction.
(iv) It is an example of a redox reaction.
