What happens when an alkaline solution of potassium ferricyanide is reacted with `H_(2)O_(2)`?

Options

A. Potassium ferricyanide is oxidised to potassium ferrocyanide becomes colourless and `H_(2)O_(2)` is oxidised.
B. Potassium ferricyanide becomes colourless and `H_(2)O_(2)` is oxidised to `O_(2)`.
C. Potassium ferricyanide is reduced to ferric hydroxide and `H_(2)O_(2)` is oxidised to `H_(2)O`.
D. Potassium ferricyanide is reduced to potassium ferrocyanide and `H_(2)O_(2)` is oxidised to `O_(2)`.

Explanation

To solve the question of what happens when an alkaline solution of potassium ferricyanide reacts with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), we can break down the process step by step.

### Step 1: Identify the Reactants
The reactants in this reaction are:
- Potassium ferricyanide (K₃[Fe(CN)₆])
- Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)
- An alkaline solution (which typically contains potassium hydroxide, KOH)

### Step 2: Write the Initial Reaction
When potassium ferricyanide reacts with an alkaline solution and hydrogen peroxide, the reaction can be represented as follows:
\[ K₃[Fe(CN)₆] + KOH + H₂O₂ \rightarrow K₄[Fe(CN)₆] + H₂O + O \]
Here, nascent oxygen (O) is released during the reaction.

### Step 3: Balance the Chemical Equation
To balance the equation, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. The balanced equation is:
\[ 2 K₃[Fe(CN)₆] + 2 KOH + H₂O₂ \rightarrow 2 K₄[Fe(CN)₆] + 2 H₂O + O \]

### Step 4: Analyze the Oxidation States
In potassium ferricyanide, iron (Fe) has an oxidation state of +3. In potassium ferrocyanide (the product), iron has an oxidation state of +2. This indicates that iron is being reduced:
- Fe (from +3 to +2) = Reduction

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is being oxidized to oxygen (O₂):
- H₂O₂ to O₂ = Oxidation

### Step 5: Conclude the Reaction Type
This reaction is a redox reaction where:
- Potassium ferricyanide is reduced to potassium ferrocyanide.
- Hydrogen peroxide is oxidized to oxygen.

### Final Answer
When an alkaline solution of potassium ferricyanide reacts with hydrogen peroxide, potassium ferricyanide is reduced to potassium ferrocyanide, and hydrogen peroxide is oxidized to oxygen.

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