Oxidation-

Reduction
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 Introduction
• Redox reactions include reactions which involve the
loss or gain of electrons.
• The reactant giving away (donating) electrons is called
the reducing agent (which is oxidized)
• The reactant taking (accepting) electrons is called the
oxidizing agent (which is reduced)
• Both oxidation and reduction happen simultaneously,
however each is considered separately using ion-
electron equations.

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 Oxidation-Reduction
 Oxidation: Loss of electrons.
 Reduction: Gain of electrons.
 Reductant: Species that loses
electrons.
 Oxidant: Species that gains Oxidation Reduction
electrons.

Valence: the electrical charge an atom would acquire if it

formed ions in aqueous solution.
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 Points to Remember
Oxidizing agent Reducing agent

Is itself reduced Is itself oxidized

Gains electrons Loses electrons

Causes oxidation Causes reduction

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 VARIABLE VALENCE ELEMENTS
 Sulfur: SO42-(+6), SO32-(+4), S(0), FeS2(-1), H2S(-2)
 Carbon: CO2(+4), C(0), CH4(-4)
 Nitrogen: NO3-(+5), NO2-(+3), NO(+2), N2O(+1), N2(0), NH3(-3)
 Iron: Fe2O3(+3), FeO(+2), Fe(0)
 Manganese: MnO4-(+7), MnO2(+4), Mn2O3(+3), MnO(+2), Mn(0)
 Copper: CuO(+2), Cu2O(+1), Cu(0)
 Tin: SnO2(+4), Sn2+(+2), Sn(0)
 Uranium: UO22+(+6), UO2(+4), U(0)
 Arsenic: H3AsO40(+5), H3AsO30(+3), As(0), AsH3(-1)
 Chromium: CrO42-(+6), Cr2O3(+3), Cr(0)
 Gold: AuCl4-(+3), Au(CN)2-(+1), Au(0)

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 Balancing Redox equations (pH acid)
 Identify the atoms that are oxidized and reduced, using ox. no.
 Write the half-reactions for oxidation and reduction processes.
 Balance mass, so that the number of atoms of each element
oxidized/reduced is the same on both sides.
If there is any O atoms present, balance them adding H2O.
If there is H atoms present, balance them adding H+.
 Balance charges with e- (electron).
 Multiply the half-equations so that the number of e- lost in one
equation is equal to the e- gained in the other.
 Add the two half-equation together and cancel out any
substances that appear on both side.

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 Cl- + MnO4-  Mn2+ + Cl2 (Acid Medium)

Identify atoms oxidised and reduced, using ox. no.

Cl : -1 Mn : +7 O: -2  Mn2+: +2 Cl: 0
Cl oxidises (goes from -1 to 0) Mn reduces (from +7 to +2)

Write the half-reactions. Balance mass, if necessary using

H2O (to add O) and/or H+ (to add H)
2Cl-  Cl2 Oxidation (reducing agent)
8H+ + MnO4-  Mn2+ + 4H2O Reduction (oxidising agent)

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 Cl- + MnO4-  Mn2+ + Cl2 (Acid Medium)

Balance the charges using electrons (e-). Each e- adds a -1

2Cl-  Cl2 + 2e- -2 = 0 -2

8H+ + MnO4- + 5e-  Mn2+ + 4H2O +8 -1 -5 = +2 +0

Multiply the half-equations so that e- lost in one = e- gained

in the other

5x(2Cl-  Cl2 + 2e-)

2x(8H+ + MnO4- + 5e-  Mn2+ + 4H2O)

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 Cl- + MnO4-  Mn2+ + Cl2 (Acid Medium)

Add the two half-equation together and cancel out any

substances that appear on both sides

10Cl-  5Cl2 + 10e-

+ 16H+ + 2MnO4- + 10e-  2Mn2+ + 8H2O)

10Cl- + 16H+ + 2MnO4- + 10e-  5Cl2 + 10e- + 2Mn2+ + 8H2O

Answer:

10Cl- + 16H+ + 2MnO4-  5Cl2 + 2Mn2+ + 8H2O

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 Balancing redox equations (pH basic)
 Identify the atoms that are oxidised and reduced, using ox. no.

 Write the half reactions for oxidation and reduction processes

 Balance mass, so that the number of atoms of each element

oxidised/reduced is the same on both sides

If there is any O atoms present, balance them adding OH-

If there is H atoms present, balance them adding H2O

 Balance charges with e-

 Multiply the half-equations so that the number of e- lost in one equation

is equal to the e- gained in the other

 Add the two half-equation together,cancel out any substances that

appear on both side.

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 CrO42- + Fe2+  Cr3+ + Fe3+ (basic pH)

Identify the atoms oxidised and reduced, using ox. no.

Fe : +2 Cr : +6 O: -2 Cr3+: +3 Fe3+: +3

Fe oxidises (goes from +2 to +3) Cr reduces (goes from +6 to +3)

Write the half-reactions. Balance mass, if necessary using OH-

(to add O, double the number needed) and/or H2O (to add H)

Fe2+  Fe3+ Oxidation (reducing agent)

4H2O + CrO4-2  Cr3+ + 8OH- Reduction (oxidising agent)

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 CrO42- + Fe2+  Cr3+ + Fe3+ (basic pH)

Balance the charges using electrons (e-). Each e- adds a -1

Fe2+  Fe3+ + 1 e- (+2 = +3 – 1)

4H2O + CrO4-2 + 3 e-  Cr3+ + 8OH-(0 -2 -3 = +3 -8)
Multiply the half-equations so that e- lost in one = e-

gained in the other

3x(Fe2+  Fe3+ + 1e-)

1x(4H2O + CrO4-2 + 3e-  Cr3+ + 8OH-)

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 CrO42- + Fe2+  Cr3+ + Fe3+ (basic pH)

Add the two half-equation together and cancel out

Any substances that appear on both side

3Fe2+  3Fe3+ + 3e-

4H O + CrO -2 + 3e-  Cr3+ + 8OH-

+ 2 4

3Fe2+ + 4H2O + CrO4-2 + 3e-  3Fe3+ + 3e- +Cr3+ + 8OH-

Answer:

3Fe2+ + 4H2O + CrO4-2  3Fe3+ +Cr3+ + 8OH-

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