Balancing Redox Reaction

• Redox reaction may occur in acidic and basic

solutions.

• Follow the steps systematically so that

equations become easier to balance.
Balancing Redox Reaction In Acidic
Solution

Fe2+ + MnO4- → Fe3+ + Mn2+

1. Divide the equation into two half reactions, one
involving oxidation and the other reduction
i. Fe2+ → Fe3+
ii. MnO4- → Mn2+
2. Balance each half-reaction
 Balance the element other than
oxygen and hydrogen

i. Fe2+ → Fe3+
ii. MnO4- → Mn2+
Balance the oxygen atom by adding H2O and
hydrogen by adding H+
i. Fe2+ → Fe3+
ii. MnO4- + 8H+ → Mn2+ + 4H2O

Balance the charge by adding electrons to

the side with the greater overall positive charge.

i. Fe2+ → Fe3+ + 1e
ii. MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e → Mn2+ + 4H2O
3. Multiply each half-reaction by an interger, so that
number of electron lost in one half-reaction
equals the number gained in the other.

i. 5 x (Fe2+ → Fe3+ + 1e)

5Fe2+ → 5Fe3+ + 5e
ii. MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e → Mn2+ + 4H2O

5
4. Add the two half-reactions and simplify where
possible by canceling species appearing on both
sides of the equation.

i. 5Fe2+ → 5Fe3+ + 5e
ii. MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e → Mn2+ + 4H2O

5Fe2+ + MnO4- + 8H+ → 5Fe3+ + Mn2+ + 4H2O

MATTER 6
5. Check the equation to make sure that there are
the same number of atoms of each kind and
the same total charge on both sides.

5Fe2+ + MnO4- + 8H+ → 5Fe3+ + Mn2+ + 4H2O

Total charge reactant Total charge product

= 5(+2) + (-1) + 8(+1) = 5(+3) + (+2) + 4(0)
= + 10 - 1 + 8 = + 15 + (+2)
= +17 = +17
MATTER 7
 Example: In Acidic Solution
C2O42- + MnO4- + H+ → CO2 + Mn2+ + H2O

Solution:
1. i. Oxidation : C2O42- → CO2
ii. Reduction : MnO4- → Mn2+

2. i. C2O42- → 2 CO2
ii. MnO4- + 8 H+ → Mn2+ + 4 H2O

3. i. C2O42- → 2 CO2 + 2e
ii. MnO4- + 8 H+ + 5e → Mn2+ + 4 H2O
4. i. 5 x (C2O42- → 2CO2 + 2e)
→ 5C2O42- → 10CO2 + 10e
ii. 2 x (MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e→ Mn2+ + 4H2O)
→ 2MnO4- + 16H+ + 10e→ 2Mn2+ + 8H2O

5. i. 5C2O42- → 10CO2 + 10e

ii. 2MnO4- + 16H+ + 10e→ 2Mn2+ + 8H2O
______________________________________
5C2O42- +2MnO4- + 16H+→10CO2+ 2Mn2++ 8H2O
Balancing Redox Reaction In Basic Solution
1. Firstly balance the equation as in acidic solution .

2. Then, add OH- to both sides of the equation so that

it can be combined with H+ to form H2O.

3. The number of hydroxide ions (OH-) added is equal

to the number of hydrogen ions (H+) in the
equation.
 Example: In Basic Solution
Cr(OH)3 + IO3- + OH- → CrO32- + I- + H2O
Solution:
1. i. Oxidation : Cr(OH)3 → CrO32-
ii. Reduction : IO3- → I-

2. i. Cr(OH)3 → CrO32- + 3H+

ii. IO3- + 6H+ → I- + 3H2O

3. i. Cr(OH)3 → CrO32- + 3H+ + 1e

ii. IO3- + 6H+ + 6e → I- + 3H2O

MATTER 11
4. i. 6 (Cr(OH)3 → CrO32- + 3H+ + 1e)
6Cr(OH)3 → 6CrO32- + 18H+ + 6e
ii. IO3- + 6H+ + 6e → I- + 3H2O

5. i. 6Cr(OH)3 → 6CrO32- + 18H+ + 6e

ii. IO3- + 6H+ + 6e → I- + 3H2O
6Cr(OH)3 + IO3- → 6CrO32- + I- + 12H+ + 3H2O

6. 6Cr(OH)3+IO3- +12OH-→6CrO32-+ I- +12H++3H2O+12OH-

7. 6Cr(OH)3 + IO3- + 12OH- → 6CrO32- + I- + 15H2O

 Exercise
Balance the following redox equations:
a. In Acidic Solution
i. Cu + NO3- + H+→ Cu2+ + NO2 + H2O
ii. MnO4- + H2SO3 → Mn2+ + SO42- + H2O + H+
iii. Zn + SO42- + H+ → Zn2+ + SO2 + H2O

b. In Basic Solution
i. ClO- + S2O32- → Cl- + SO42-
ii. Cl2 → ClO3- + Cl-
iii. NO2 → NO3- + NO