Disproportionation facts for kids

Disproportionation is a special kind of chemical reaction where one substance changes into two different substances. This happens because some atoms in the substance give away electrons, while other atoms in the same substance gain electrons.

It's like a sharing game where one player gives away some of their toys, and another player gets those toys, but both players started with the same type of toy!

The opposite of disproportionation is called symproportionation. In this reaction, two different substances combine to form one new substance. This happens when atoms from the two different substances share electrons to become the same type of atom.

What is a Redox Reaction?

A redox reaction is a chemical reaction where atoms change their "oxidation states." This means they either gain or lose electrons.

• When an atom loses electrons, it's called oxidation.
• When an atom gains electrons, it's called reduction.

In disproportionation, the same element is both oxidized (loses electrons) and reduced (gains electrons) in the same reaction. In symproportionation, two different forms of the same element react to form a single, new form.

Disproportionation in Action: Bleach Example

A common example of disproportionation happens with Sodium hypochlorite, which is the main ingredient in household bleach.

When bleach is left to dry or gets old, the sodium hypochlorite reacts with itself.

• Some of the chlorine atoms in the bleach give away electrons.
• At the same time, other chlorine atoms in the bleach gain those electrons.

This reaction creates two new substances:

• Sodium chloride (which is the same chemical as regular table salt).
• Sodium chlorate (another chemical compound).

Here's how chemists write this reaction: 3 NaClO → 2 NaCl + NaClO₃

Symproportionation in Action: Iron Example

An example of symproportionation involves different forms of iron.

When Ferric ions (a type of iron particle with a +3 charge, written as Fe³⁺) react with solid iron metal (Fe), they combine.

• The ferric ions take electrons from the iron metal.
• Both the ferric ions and the iron metal turn into ferrous ions (a type of iron particle with a +2 charge, written as Fe²⁺).

So, two different forms of iron (ferric ions and iron metal) combine to make one new form (ferrous ions).

Here's the chemical equation for this reaction: 2 Fe³⁺ + Fe → 3 Fe²⁺

Why are these reactions important?

These types of reactions are very important in many areas, including:

• Chemistry: They help us understand how different chemicals behave and how to create new ones.
• Biology: Similar reactions happen inside living things, like when our bodies process food for energy.
• Industry: They are used in making many products, from cleaning supplies to metals.

Related pages

• Deprotonation
• Protonation
• Chemistry

See also

In Spanish: Dismutación para niños