In the redox reaction SnO2 + 4Cl- + 4H+ = SnCl2 + Cl2 + 2H2O, which species loses electrons?

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Multiple Choice

In the redox reaction SnO2 + 4Cl- + 4H+ = SnCl2 + Cl2 + 2H2O, which species loses electrons?

Oxidation state changes reveal who’s transferring electrons. Tin in SnO2 is +4, while in SnCl2 it’s +2, so tin is reduced (gains electrons). The species that donates electrons is the one that gets oxidized. Chloride starts as Cl− (-1) and ends up as Cl2 (0) in the products, meaning it loses electrons (oxidized) to form chlorine gas. Those released electrons balance the tin’s reduction. The protons mainly balance the charge and form water; they don’t undergo a redox change here. So the chloride ion is the species that loses electrons.

Oxidation state changes reveal who’s transferring electrons. Tin in SnO2 is +4, while in SnCl2 it’s +2, so tin is reduced (gains electrons). The species that donates electrons is the one that gets oxidized. Chloride starts as Cl− (-1) and ends up as Cl2 (0) in the products, meaning it loses electrons (oxidized) to form chlorine gas. Those released electrons balance the tin’s reduction. The protons mainly balance the charge and form water; they don’t undergo a redox change here. So the chloride ion is the species that loses electrons.

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