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NEET CHEMISTRYMedium

Which of the following processes does not involve the oxidation of iron?

A

Rusting of iron sheets

B

Decolourisation of blue CuSO4\text{CuSO}_4 solution by iron

C

Formation of Fe(CO)5\text{Fe}(\text{CO})_5 from Fe\text{Fe}

D

Liberation of H2\text{H}_2 from steam by iron at high temperature

Step-by-Step Solution

Let us analyze the change in the oxidation state of iron in each process:

  1. Rusting of iron sheets: Iron reacts with oxygen and moisture to form rust, which is hydrated iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3xH2O\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 \cdot x\text{H}_2\text{O}). Here, the oxidation state of Fe\text{Fe} changes from 00 to +3+3. This is an oxidation process.
  2. Decolourisation of blue CuSO4\text{CuSO}_4 solution by iron: Iron displaces copper from copper sulphate solution: Fe+CuSO4FeSO4+Cu\text{Fe} + \text{CuSO}_4 \rightarrow \text{FeSO}_4 + \text{Cu}. Here, the oxidation state of Fe\text{Fe} changes from 00 to +2+2. This is an oxidation process.
  3. Formation of Fe(CO)5\text{Fe}(\text{CO})_5 from Fe\text{Fe}: In the metal carbonyl complex pentacarbonyliron(0), Fe(CO)5\text{Fe}(\text{CO})_5, the ligand carbon monoxide (CO\text{CO}) is a neutral molecule. Therefore, the oxidation state of iron remains 00. This process does not involve the oxidation of iron.
  4. Liberation of H2\text{H}_2 from steam by iron at high temperature: Iron reacts with steam to form iron(II,III) oxide (Fe3O4\text{Fe}_3\text{O}_4) and hydrogen gas: 3Fe+4H2OFe3O4+4H23\text{Fe} + 4\text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{Fe}_3\text{O}_4 + 4\text{H}_2. Here, the oxidation state of Fe\text{Fe} changes from 00 to an average of +8/3+8/3 (a mixture of +2+2 and +3+3). This is an oxidation process.
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