Question:
Why is HCl not used to make the medium acidic in oxidation reactions of
KMnO4 in an acidic medium?
(i) Both HCl and KMnO4 act as oxidising agents.
(ii) KMnO4 oxidises HCl into Cl2 which is also an oxidising agent.
(iii) KMnO4 is a weaker oxidising agent than HCl.
(iv) KMnO4 acts as a reducing agent in the presence of HCl.
Solution:
Option (ii) KMnO4 oxidises HCl into Cl2 which is also an oxidising agent is the answer.