Question

I have know clue how to answer this, but I tried something.(predicting products of electrolysis in aqueous solution)/

Predict the products of the electrolysis of a solution of aqueous MnSO4.

I first wrote this:

Mn^2+ SO4^2-

Then for Mn^2+, it can be reduced to Mg(s) -2.36V and, since its aqueous, water is added

2H2O + 2e ---> H2(g) + 2OH^- (aq) -0.83V

water is less negative, so it will either lyse or form oxygen and hydrogen

I'm not sure where to go from here

Answer 1

You're a good chemist if you can make Mn^2+ go to Mg^2+. :-).

I think you are right. Mn^2+ can't be reduced preferentially. I vote for H2 gas at the cathode.