Which of the following halogens or halide-containing compounds can NEVER be directly produced by uti — d and f Block Elements Chemistry Question
Question
Which of the following halogens or halide-containing compounds can NEVER be directly produced by utilizing Potassium Permanganate ($KMnO_4$) as the primary oxidizing agent due to fundamental thermodynamic limitations?
💡 Solution & Explanation
Potassium Permanganate ($KMnO_4$) is a potent oxidizing agent, capable of successfully oxidizing $Cl^-$, $Br^-$, and $I^-$ to their respective elemental halogens ($Cl_2, Br_2, I_2$). However, Fluorine is the most electronegative element and the most powerful oxidizing agent on the periodic table. The $F^-$ ion holds its electrons too tightly; $KMnO_4$ is thermodynamically incapable of oxidizing $F^-$ to $F_2$.