Experiment 1: More reactive halogen can oxidize less reactive halide and itself is reduce.

Cl2 is more reactive than I2

Cl2 (aq) Br2 (aq)

Colourless KI(aq)

Brown due to formation of I2

Br2 + 2ICl2 + 2I-

I2 +2BrI2 +2Cl-

Similarly: purple KMnO4 oxidizes colorless KI(aq) to brown I2(aq) . KI

Acidic KMnO4

I2(aq) brown

Experiment 2: More reactive metal reduce less reactive metal ion and itself is oxidized Mg is more reactive than Cu Mg +CuSO4 Mg powder Cu + MgSo4

Heat

Blue CuSo4(aq)

Colourless MgSO4 + red brownish deposit (Cu)

Experiment 3: Purple KMnO4 oxidizes pale green FeSo4(aq) to iron (III) compound which forms brown ppt. with NaOH(aq) drops of KMnO4

FeSO4

Brown solution

Brown ppt. Fe(OH)3

Experiment 4: To test for reducing agent

Na2So3(aq) + 2HCl(aq)

SO2(g) +H2O + 2NaCl Solution

SO2(g) 1. Decolourizes purple KMnO4 2. Change orange K2Cr2O7 to green