Oxidation-Reduction reaction (REDOX)- is a simultaneous reaction of oxidation and reduction

reactions.

*Oxidation is a reaction where an atom loses an electron which results to an increase in oxidation
state.

*Reduction is a reaction where an atom gains an electron which results to a decrease in oxidation
state.

Rules in assigning oxidation states:

1. The oxidation number of a free element is always 0.

2. The usual oxidation number of hydrogen is +1.
3. The oxidation number of oxygen in compounds is usually -2. Except peroxide with a -1 .
4. The oxidation number of a Group IA element in a compound is +1.
5. The oxidation number of a Group IIA element in a compound is +2.
6. The oxidation number of a Group VIIA element in a compound is -1
7. The sum of the oxidation numbers of all of the atoms in a neutral compound is 0.
8. The sum of the oxidation numbers in a polyatomic ion is equal to the charge of the ion. For
example, the sum of the oxidation numbers for SO42- is -2.
Consider this reaction:

Oxid state of Fe in Fe2O3 is +3 that changes to 0 (there was a decrease in oxid st.
therefore, reduction takes place)

Oxid state of C in CO is +2 that changes to +4 (there was an increase in

oxid st. therefore, oxidation takes place)

Here are the steps to follow to balance a redox equation by change in oxidation state:

1. Assign oxid. St. for each of the atoms present in the equation
2. Determine which atom changes its oxid. St. and identify whether the atom undergoes
reduction or oxidation (label the equation)…identify R.A and O.A.
3. Get the total number of e loss and gain by multiplying it with the subscripts.
4. Balance the number of electrons loss and gain by placing numerical coefficients.
5. Balance the equation by inspection.

(To be done in the room….better if you try doing it yourself though  )

1. Fe + O2 —→ Fe2O3
2. CuO + NH3 —→ N2 + H2O + Cu
3. K2Cr2O7 + HCl —→ Cl2 + CrCl3 + H2O + KCl
4. KMnO4 + H2C2O4 + H2SO4 —→ K2SO4 + MnSO4 + CO2 + H2O
Here are the steps to follow to balance a redox equation by ion-electron method:

1. Divide the equation into 2 half-reactions (oxidation and reduction)

Example: Al + O2 —→ Al2O3

Al0 —→ Al +3 (1st half rxn is oxidation, 3e loss ; r.a)

O20 —→ O-2 (2nd t half rxn is reduction, 2e gain ; o.a)
2. Balance the # of atoms on both sides

Al0 —→ Al +3
O20 —→ 2 O-2
3. Balance the number of charges on both sides by placing electrons to the side where there
are more + charges

Al0 —→ Al +3 + -3
e (total of 0 charge on both sides)
-4
e + O20 —→ 2 O-2 (total of -4 charge on both sides)

4. Balance the number of electrons loss and gain by finding a common factor

(Al0 —→ Al +3 + -3 e ) 4
3 (-4 e + O20 —→ 2 O-2 )
_____________________________

4 Al0 —→ 4 Al +3 + -12 e
(-12
e + 3 O20 —→ 6 O-2

5. Cancel the number of e loss and gain and combine the 2 half reaction
4 Al0 + 3 O20 —→ 4 Al +3 + 6 O-2

For acidic solutions:

*** Balance the O by adding H2O
*** Balance the H by adding 2H+ to the opposite side
For basic solutions:
**Add OH- to each side until all H+ is gone and then cancel again**

(To be done in the room….better if you try doing it yourself though  )

1. Fe + Cu+2 —→ Fe +2 + Cu
2. S -2 + I2 —→ SO4 -2 + I -1
3. MnO4 -1 + H2O2 —→ Mn +2
+ O2