Question

During the preparation of oxygen in the laboratory, manganese dioxide is added to potassium chlorate. Give reasons for it.

Answer 1

In the preparation of oxygen, manganese dioxide is mixed with potassium chlorate and the mixture is used as a catalyst for the reaction.

On heating the mixture, we get the products as potassium chloride and oxygen.

The chemical reaction for the same is given below.

2KClO3 –Heat with MnO2--- > 2KCl + 3O2