REDOX REACTIONS

This is derived from the two processes oxidation and reduction. A chemical reaction involves both
oxidation and reduction which means no oxidation occurs without reduction. Many processes are
redox. This can be explained in terms of oxygen, hydrogen, electrons and oxidation numbers.
In terms of oxygen:
When a substance combines with oxygen it is said to be oxidized: Oxidation is gain of oxygen
When a substance loses oxygen it is said to be reduced: Reduction is loss of oxygen

Gain of oxygen (oxidation)

Example: CuO + H2 Cu + H2O
Loss of oxygen (reduction)

Redox reactions can also be explained in terms of hydrogen (oxidation is loss of hydrogen while reduction is
gain of hydrogen).
Not all chemical reactions involve reactions with hydrogen or oxygen therefore the above definitions do not
cater for the majority of the reactions. To cater for such reactions they are explained in terms electron transfer.
In terms of electron transfer:
When a substance loses electrons it is oxidized (oxidation is loss of electrons)
When a substance gains electrons it is reduced (reduction is gain of electrons)

Loses 2 electrons (oxidation)

Mg + Cl2 MgCl2
Gains 1 electron

Mg is a metal and it reacts by losing 2 electrons (it is oxidized) to Mg2+ while the non metal Cl gains an electron
(it is reduced) to Cl
Redox reactions are easily shown by the use of half equations which show ionic equations for both oxidation
and reduction.
Mg Mg2+ + 2e- or Mg – 2e- Mg2+
The equations show loss of electrons (oxidation)
Cl2 + 2 e- 2Cl This shows gain of electrons (reduction)
In terms of Oxidation states
During electron transfer changes in oxidation states occur. Oxidation state is a number given to show whether
an element has been oxidized or reduced. The oxidation state of an ion is the charge on the ion. In a covalent
compound it indicates the attraction that atom has for electrons in the bonds.
Oxidation is an increase in the oxidation number
Reduction is a decrease in the oxidation number
Mg + 2HCl MgCl2 + H2
Mg + 2H+ Cl- Mg2+ Cl- + H2
Cl- is a spectator because its oxidation number remains the same during the reaction
Mg Mg2+ + 2e
The oxidation number of Mg changed from 0 to 2+ therefore Mg has been oxidized.
2H+ + 2e H2
The oxidation number of H has decreased from +1 to 0, hence reduction
Exercise
Explain why the following reactions are Redox reactions

(i) CuO + H2 Cu + H2O

(ii) Pb(NO3)2 + Zn Zn ( NO3)2 + Pb

(iii) Zn + CuO ZnO + Cu

(iv) Mn + H2O MnO + H2

Oxidizing and Reducing agents

During redox reactions reduction is brought by a reducing agent and oxidation by an oxidizing agent. A
substance that is oxidized is the reducing agent while the reduced one is the oxidizing agent.
An oxidizing agent is a substance which;
(i) Donates oxygen to another substance
(ii) Gains electrons from another

A reducing agent is a substance which;

(i) Gains oxygen
(ii) Loses electrons

Exercise
Identify the oxidizing agent from the reactions below;
(i) 4Na + O2 2Na2O
(ii) Cu + 2AgNO3 2Ag + Cu(NO3)
(iii) 2KBr + Cl2 2KCl + Br2
(iv) Cu + 4HNO3 Cu(NO3)2 + H2O + NO2

Identify the reducing agent from the reactions below;

(i) H2 + CuO Cu + H2O
(ii) Mg + H2SO4 MgSO4 + H2
(iii) 2KI + Cl2 2KCl + I2

Examples of oxidizing and reducing agents

Oxidizing agents: conc nitric acid, conc sulphuric acid, non metals, manganese (IV) oxide, acidified potassium
manganate (vii), acidified potassium dichromate (vi), hydrogen peroxide, oxygen
Reducing agents: carbon, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, sulphur dioxide, potassium iodide, iron (ii) compound,
hydrogen sulphide.

Test for oxidizing and reducing agents

Oxidizing agents: use a reducing agent like potassium iodide which will change colour from colourless to brown
due to the production of iodine.
2I- (aq) →I2 + 2e-
This can be confirmed by using starch indicator which turns blue black
Reducing agents: Use potassium dichromate (vi) which changes colour from orange to green and potassium
manganate (vii) which changes colour from purple to colourless.
MnO4- + 8H+ +5e Mn2+ + 4H2O
7+
(purple)(Mn ) (colourless)
Fe2+ Fe3+ + e-
(green) (red brown)
Cr2O72- + 14H+ + 6e- 2Cr3+ + 7H2O
6+
(orange)(Cr ) (green)

When conc sulphuric acid acts as an oxidizing agent, sulphur dioxide is always produced.
Cu + H2SO4 (l) CuSO4 + SO2 + 2H2O