(B) Balancing Redox Equations Using Oxidation-state Method

1. Assign the oxidation state of all atoms.

2. Decide which element is oxidized and determine the increase in oxidation state.
3. Decide which element is reduced and determine the decrease in oxidation state.
4. Choose coefficients for the species containing the atom oxidized and the atom reduced such that the total increase in
oxidation state equals the total decrease in oxidation state.
5. Balance the remainder of the equation by inspection.

Example
Balance the ff equation using oxidation state method
1. CH3OH(l) + O2(g) → CO2(g) + H2O(l)
2. MnO2(s) + Al(s) → Mn(s) + Al2O3(s)
Solution:
1. CH3OH(l) + O2(g) → CO2(g) + H2O(g)
Change in o.s.
C = +4 – 2 = + 6; increase in o.s.= oxidation
O = -2 - 0 = -2; decrease in o.s. = reduction
6:2 = 3:1
So 3 oxygen atoms are needed to balance the increase in O. S. of 1 carbon atom.
i.e. CH3OH + 3/2O2 → CO2 + H2O
By inspection we have: 2CH3OH + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 4H2O

2. MnO2 + Al → Mn + Al2O3
Change in o.s.
Mn: 0 -+4 = -4; decrease in o.s. = reduction
Al: +3 - 0 = +3; increase in o.s.= oxidation
Hence, 3MnO4 + 4Al → 3Mn + 2Al2O3
Exercise

Balance the following redox reactions using o.s. method

1. C2H6(g) + O2(g) → CO2(g) +

H2O(g)

2. Cu(s) + Ag+(aq) → Cu2+(aq) + Ag(s)

3. MnO4- + Fe2+ → Mn2+ + Fe3+

4. MnO4- + Cl- → Mn2+ + Cl2