In the unbalanced equation below, what element is being reduced? MnO2 + HCl → H2O + MnCl2 + Cl2

a. Mn

b. Cl

c. O

d. H

Manganese is reduced from M n IV + to M n II +, so option A.

Explanation:

And of course, for every reduction there is a corresponding oxidation: here, chloride ion is oxidized to zerovalent chlorine gas.

The overall (balanced) redox equation is:

Mn O2 (s) + 4HCl (aq) →MnC l2 (s) + C l2 (g) + 2 H2 O (l)