QJEEM23Ch30fc: JEE Main 2023 Chemistry - Class 12 JEEM23Ch30fc Solution: oxidises in acidic and neutral/faintly alkaline solutions,…

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