JEE Main 2023 — D And F Block Elements Question with Solution

Potassium permanganate (${\mathrm{KMnO}}_4$) is a strong oxidizing agent that can oxidize iodide ions (${\mathrm{I}}^{-}$) to different products depending on the pH of the solution.

In acidic solutions, ${\mathrm{KMnO}}_4$ oxidizes ${\mathrm{I}}^{-}$ to molecular iodine (${\mathrm{I}}_2$) according to the following equation:

In neutral or faintly alkaline solutions, the oxidation product is different because the ${\mathrm{I}}^{-}$ is oxidized to iodate ion (${\mathrm{IO}}_3^{-}$). The reaction in a neutral or slightly alkaline solution is as follows:

So according to the reactions above, in acidic solutions, ${\mathrm{I}}^{-}$ is oxidized to ${\mathrm{I}}_2$ while in neutral or faintly alkaline solutions, ${\mathrm{I}}^{-}$ is oxidized to ${\mathrm{IO}}_3^{-}$. Therefore, the correct answer is:

Option C: ${\mathrm{I}}_2\&{\mathrm{IO}}_3^{-}$