Oxidation – Reduction
Reactions
4.1.explain redox reactions in terms of electron transfer
and changes in oxidation state(number);
4.2. deduce balanced equations for redox reactions from
relevant half equations;
4.3. perform simple displacement reactions to order
elements in terms of oxidizing or reducing ability.
REDOX REACTIONS
Redox reactions are a family of reactions that
are concerned with the transfer of electrons
between species.
Oxidation Reduction
Gain of oxygen Loss of oxygen
Loss of hydrogen Gain of hydrogen
Loss of electrons Gain of electrons
Oxidation state Oxidation state
increases decreases
Oxidation States
(oxidation numbers)
An oxidation state is a number given to each
atom or ion in a compound to show the degree
of oxidation.
OXIDATION NUMBER RULES:
1. OxNo refers to a single atom or ion in a
compound.
2. The OxNo of each atom in an element is 0.
3. The OxNo of an ion arising from a single atom is
the same as the charge on the ion.
4. The OxNo of fluorine compounds is always -1.
Oxidation States
(oxidation numbers)
OXIDATION NUMBER RULES (cont…):
5. The OxNo of oxygen atom in a compound is -2,
except in peroxides it is -1.
6. The OxNo of a hydrogen atom in a compound is
+1, but in metal hydrides it is -1.
7. The sum of all the OxNo’s of atoms/ions in a
compound is zero.
8. The sum of the OxNos in compound ion equals the
charge on the ion.
9. The most electronegative element in a compound is
given the negative OxNo.
Determination of Oxidation States in
a Compound
◼ Atoms in covalent and complex compounds can be
given oxidation states, assuming they are ionic.
◼ Oxidation states of all atoms in a compound must
add up to zero
◼ Example: Find the oxidation state of Mn in
KMnO4.
KMnO4 +1 + x + 4(-2) = 0
x = +7
K+ 4(O2-)
(+1) x (-8)
Balancing half equations
Half equations are balanced by:
• balancing the number of electrons lost and gained
• then putting the two half equations together.
WORKED EXAMPLE 1
Construct a balance ionic equation for the reaction of
zinc with iodate (V) ions (IO3-), in acidic solutions using
the two half equations shown below:
Zn → Zn2+ + 2e-
IO3- + 6H+ + 5e- → ½ I2 + 3H2O
Step 1. balance the electrons
Step 2. put the equations together and cancel the
electrons.
5Zn + 2IO3- + 12H+ → 5Zn2++ I2 + 6H2O
Balancing equations using
oxidation numbers
WORKED EXAMPLE 2
Write the balance equation for the reaction of ClO3-
ions in acidic solution with Fe2+ ions to form Cl- ions,
Fe3+ ions and water.
Step 1. Write down the unbalanced equation, identify
the atoms which change in oxidation number.
Step 2. Deduce the changes in oxidation number.
Step 3. Balance the oxidation number changes so that
the total oxidation number is 0.
Step 4. Balance the charges by balancing the H+ ions
(or OH- if present) and then other molecules
such as water.
ClO3- + 6Fe2+ + 6H+ → Cl- + 6Fe3+ + 3H2O
Oxidising Agents
An oxidising agent is a substance which causes oxidation
(gets reduced). It acts as an acceptor of electrons.
Examples of oxidising agents are: F2, Cl2, Br2, KMnO4 (potassium
manganate(VII)), K2Cr2O7 (potassium dichromate)
Reducing Agents
A reducing agent is a substance which causes reduction
(gets oxidised). It acts as a donor of electrons.
Examples of reducing agents are: C, CO, reactive metals like
potassium, sodium, magnesium, aluminium and potassium iodide
Oxidising Agents and Reducing Agents
◼ Since redox reactions always occur together, an
oxidising agent will be the substance reduced in
the reaction.
◼ Similarly, a reducing agent will be the substance
oxidised in the reaction.
H2S(g) + Cl2(g) → S(s) + 2HCl(g)
H2S is oxidised to Chlorine is reduced to HCl
sulphur by chlorine. by hydrogen sulphide.
Cl2 is the oxidising agent. H2S is the reducing agent.
Oxidising Agents and Reducing Agents
• The ability of a substance to act as a reducing or
oxidising agent depends on its electrode potential.
• Reagents can be put in order of their oxidising or
reducing ability by carrying displacement reactions.
• A displacement reaction is one where one atom
replaces another in a chemical reaction. For example:
Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)
• The reactions of metals with aqueous solutions of
different metal salts is used to built up a metal
reactivity series, e.g.
(metal is a better RA)
Mg – Zn – Fe – Sn – Cu – Ag
(metal ion is a better OA)
Key points
• Oxidation is loss of electrons.
Reduction is gain of electrons.
• Redox reactions can be divided into two half
equations, one showing oxidation and the
other reduction.
• Oxidation is increase in oxidation state.
Reduction is decrease in oxidation state.
• Some atoms have fixed oxidation number.
The oxidation number of other atoms in a
compound can be found using oxidation
number rules.
Key points
• Redox equations can be deduced by balancing
the numbers of electrons lost and gained in
relevant half equations.
• Redox equations can be balanced by
balancing oxidation number changes.
• A more reactive element will displace a less
reactive element from a solution of its salt if
it is better losing electrons.
• In a reaction, the oxidising agent gains
electrons and becomes reduced. The
reducing agent loses electrons and becomes
oxidised.
