OXIDATION AND REDUCTION

Oxidation Reduction reaction is also known as “REDOX”reaction. It comprises of both oxidation and
reduction reactions.

NOTE: every oxidation is accompanied by a reduction and vise-verse.

Oxidation definition

1. Addition of oxygen: a reaction in which oxygen combines with an element or compound to form
another substance. A substance is oxidized if it gains oxygen.

C(s) + 2ZnO(s) CO2(g) + 2Zn(s)

Oxidation
2. Removal of hydrogen: oxidation is the removal of hydrogen from an element or compound to
form another substance. A substance is oxidized if it loss hydrogen.
H2S(g) + Cl2(g) 2HCl(g) + S(s)

Oxidation

3. Addition of electronegative element: oxidation is the addition of electronegative element to an

element or a compound. A substance is oxidized if an electronegative element such as F, Cl, I,
etc is added.
H2S(g) + Br2(g) 2HCBr(g) + S(s)

Oxidation
4. In terms of electron transfer: oxidation is the loss of electron

Mg(s) + Cl(g) MgCl2(s)

Oxidation

Mg - 2e- Mg2+ Mg is oxidized to Mg2+. ii. When chlorine (non-metal) gains two electrons in
order to complete its valence shell, it forms chlorine ion. Cl2+ 2e- 2Cl- chlorine atom is reduced to
its ion.

Reduction definition
1. In term of oxygen: reduction is the removal of oxygen from a compound to form another
substance. A substance is reduced if it loss oxygen.

C(s) + 2ZnO(s) CO2(g) + 2Zn(s)

Reduction
 2. In term of hydrogen: reduction is the addition of hydrogen to an element or compound to
form another substance. A substance is reduced if it gain hydrogen.

H2S(g) + Cl2(g) 2HCl(g) + S(s)

Reduction

3. In term Addition of electronegative element: Reduction is the removal of electronegative

element from a compound. A substance is reduced if an electronegative element such as F,
Cl, I, etc is removed
HCl(aq) + Fe(s) FeCl2(aq) + H2(g)
Reduction

4. In terms of electron transfer: reduction is the gain of electron

Mg(s) + Cl(g) MgCl2(s)

Reduction

Mg - 2e- Mg2+ Mg is oxidized to Mg2+. ii. When chlorine (non-metal) gains two electrons in
order to complete its valence shell, it forms chlorine ion. Cl2+ 2e- 2Cl- chlorine atom is reduced to
its ion.

Oxidation Number

Oxidation number is the combining power of an element in a compound. It’s the elctrical charge an ion
or molecule appears to have as determined by set of arbitrary rules.

Rules on working out oxidation state

1. The oxidation number (O.N) of oxygen in its compound is -2 except in peroxides H2O2, Na2O2,
O22-, where it is -1.
2. The oxidation number of hydrogen in its compound is +1, except in its hydride where it is -1.
3. The oxidation number of free element, where mono atomic or poly atomic is zero e.g nobles
gases ( He, Ne, etc.), metals (Na, Mg, Al etc.), Non metals (S, P, Cl, etc.) and molecules such as
(H2, O2, Cl2, O3 etc.).
4. The oxidation number of simple ion is the same as the charge on it. E.g K+, =+1, Cl- =-1
5. The sum of oxidation number of all atoms in a compound is zero
6. The sum of the oxidation number of all atoms in a radical is equal to the charge on the radical.
E.g SO42- = -2.

Work Examoles
1. Cal. The O.N of nitrogen in (a) NH3+ (b) NO2 (c) HNO3
2. Cal. The O.N of Magnessium in (a) MgCl2 (b) MgO
3. Cal. The O.N of chromium in (a) K2Cr2O7 (b) Cr (c) CrCl3
4. Cal. The O.N of manganese in (a) KmnO4 (b) MnO2 (c) MnSO4 (d) Mn
5. Cal. The O.N of sulphur in (a) SO42- (b) K2SO4