Redox Reaction

A redox is a type of chemical reaction that involves a transfer of electrons between

two species

The oxidation state of an element corresponds to the number of electrons, that an atom
loses, gains in a chemical reaction

The reducing agent is the reactant that is being oxidized

The oxidizing agent is reactant that is being reduced

A redox (or oxidation-reduction) reaction is a type of chemical reaction that involves a

transfer of electrons between two species.

Redox reactions happens all the time in our everyday life. For example your body uses
redox reactions to convert food and oxygen to energy + water and CO2 which we then
exhale.

The batteries in your smartphone and laptop, as well as any other electronics, also rely
on redox reactions.

Oxidation state

The oxidation state is an important concept in chemistry, essential in order to

understand the REDOX reactions. The oxidation state of an element corresponds to
the number of electrons, that an atom loses or gains when joining with other atoms in
compounds.

We can see the oxidation state also as the total number of electrons which have been
removed from an element (a positive oxidation state) or added to an element (a
negative oxidation state) to get to its present form or state.

Oxidation involves an increase in oxidation state

Reduction involves a decrease in oxidation state

To determine the oxidation state of an element, we can use the following rules:

 The oxidation state of an individual atom is 0. This is because it hasn't been either
oxidised or reduced yet!
 The sum of the oxidation states of all the atoms or ions in a neutral compound is
zero. The sum of the oxidation states of all the atoms in an ion is equal to the
charge on the
 The more electronegative element in a substance is given a negative oxidation
state. The less electronegative one is given a positive oxidation state. (Fluorine is
the most electronegative element followed by oxygen)
 Group 1 metals have an oxidation state of +1 and Group 2 an oxidation state of +2
 The oxidation state of fluorine is -1 in compounds
 Hydrogen generally has an oxidation state of +1 in compounds
 Oxygen generally has an oxidation state of -2 in compounds

In binary metal compounds, Group 17 elements have an oxidation state of -1, Group
16 elements of -2, and Group 15 elements of -3.

How redox work

Let's get an example and understand better how redox reactions work:

How do we know if the above reaction is a redox? In order to be a redox, a transfer in

electrons needs to happen, therefore we need to see if there is an electron transfer
occurring, and we can do that by checking if any oxidation numbers change from the
reactants to the products.
From the above figure, we can see that the oxidation numbers for carbon and iron are
changing during the reaction from a transfer of electrons.

Carbon is being oxidized because it is losing electrons as the oxidation number

increases from 0 to +4.
Iron is being reduced because it is gaining electrons as the oxidation number decreases
from +3 to 0.

The reducing agent is the reactant that is being oxidized (and thus causing something
else to be reduced), so in our case C is the reducing agent.

The oxidizing agent is reactant that is being reduced (and thus causing something else
to be oxidized), so in our case Fe2O3, is the oxidizing agent.

Let's use another example:

1 C atom is oxidized from -4 to + 4

4 O atoms are reduced from 0 to + 2

4 H atoms remained unchanged at + 1

Balancing redox reactions

As any other chemical reaction, redox need to be balanced.

Let's see the following reaction:

Al(s)+Cu2+(aq)→Al3+(aq)+Cu(s)

Is this reaction balanced? At first sight, the atoms appear to be balanced as we have 1
aluminum atom and 1 copper atom at both sides of the arrow. However, not only the
number of atoms need to be balanced, but also the charges present on both sides of the
reactions. So, if we add up the charges on the reactant side we get a +2, charge, and if
we count the charges on the product side, we get +3. Therefore out reaction is not
balanced.

We need to make sure both the atoms and the charges are balanced. In order to do so,
we use the half-reaction method.

As the name implies, this method examines the reactions breaking it in half, so we
will take in consideration first the reactants reaction and then the products reactions.

Reduction half-reaction:

The reduction half-reaction shows the reactants and products participating in the
reduction step. Since Cu2+ is being reduced to Cu(s) we can write the following:

Cu2+(aq)→Cu(s)

Which is not charge-balanced. There is a net charge of +2, plus on the reactant side
and 0 on the product side. We can balance the charges by including the electrons
(which have negative charge) being transferred, and then we will get our reduction
half-reaction right and balanced:

Cu2+(aq)+2e−→Cu(s)

now, if we add up the charges, including the electrons that have been transferred, we
end up with an overall charge of 0 at both sides of the reductions half-reaction. The
balanced half-reaction tells us that Cu2+ is gaining 2 electrons per copper atom to form
solid Cu.
Let's do the same with the other half of the reactions:

Oxidation half-reaction: This reaction will include the oxidation of Al(s) to Al3+ .
let's add to the half reaction the electrons that have been transferred from Al(s):

Al(s)→Al3+(aq)+3e−

Now, we will combine the two balanced half-reactions to get the balanced overall
equation. In doing so, we need to multiply the reduction half-reaction by 3 and
multiply the oxidation half-reaction by 2 so both reactions involve the transfer of 6
electrons:

3×[Cu2+(aq)+2e−→Cu(s)] 3×reduction half-reaction

2×[Al(s)→Al3+(aq)+3e−] 2×oxidation half-reaction

The last step of this method involves adding the half reactions together to get our
overall balanced equation, and check to see if any reactants and products appear on
both sides.

6e−+3Cu2+(aq) → 3Cu(s) 3×reduction half-reaction

2Al(s) →2Al3+(aq)+6e− 2×oxidation half-reaction

2Al(s)+3Cu2+(aq)→2Al3+(aq)+3Cu(s) Overall balanced reaction

Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
An oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction is a type of chemical reaction that involves a transfer of
electrons between two species. An oxidation-reduction reaction is any chemical reaction in which the
oxidation number of a molecule, atom, or ion changes by gaining or losing an electron. Redox reactions
are common and vital to some of the basic functions of life, including photosynthesis, respiration,
combustion, and corrosion or rusting.

Rules for Assigning Oxidation States

The oxidation state (OS) of an element corresponds to the number of electrons, e-, that an atom loses,
gains, or appears to use when joining with other atoms in compounds. In determining the oxidation state
of an atom, there are seven guidelines to follow:

1. The oxidation state of an individual atom is 0.

2. The total oxidation state of all atoms in: a neutral species is 0 and in an ion is equal to the ion
charge.
3. Group 1 metals have an oxidation state of +1 and Group 2 an oxidation state of +2
4. The oxidation state of fluorine is -1 in compounds
5. Hydrogen generally has an oxidation state of +1 in compounds
6. Oxygen generally has an oxidation state of -2 in compounds
7. In binary metal compounds, Group 17 elements have an oxidation state of -1, Group 16 elements
of -2, and Group 15 elements of -3.

The sum of the oxidation states is equal to zero for neutral compounds and equal to
the charge for polyatomic ion species.

Example 1: Assigning Oxidation States

Determine the Oxidation States of each element in the following reactions:

a. Fe(s)+O2(g)→Fe2O3(g)Fe(s)+O2(g)→Fe2O3(g)
b. Fe2+Fe2+
c. Ag(s)+H2S→Ag2S(g)+H2(g)Ag(s)+H2S→Ag2S(g)+H2(g)
SOLUTIONS

A. Fe and O2 are free elements; therefore, they each have an oxidation state of 0 according to Rule
#1. The product has a total oxidation state equal to 0, and following Rule #6, O has an oxidation
state of -2, which means Fe has an oxidation state of +3.
B. The oxidation state of Fe corresponds to its charge; therefore, the oxidation state is +2.
C. Ag has an oxidation state of 0, H has an oxidation state of +1 according to Rule #5, S has an
oxidation state of -2 according to Rule #7, and hence Ag in Ag2S has an oxidation state of +1.

Example 2: Assigning Oxidation States

Determine the Oxidation State of the bold element in each of the following:

a. Na3PO3
b. H2PO4-

SOLUTIONS

a. The oxidation numbers of Na and O are +1 and -2. Because sodium phosphite is neutral, the
sum of the oxidation numbers must be zero. Letting x be the oxidation number of phosphorus,
0= 3(+1) + x + 3(-2). x=oxidation number of P= +3.
b. Hydrogen and oxygen have oxidation numbers of +1 and -2. The ion has a charge of -1, so the
sum of the oxidation numbers must be -1. Letting y be the oxidation number of phosphorus, -
1= y + 2(+1) +4(-2), y= oxidation number of P= +5.

Example 3: Identifying Reduced and Oxidized Elements

Determine which element is oxidized and which element is reduced in the following reactions (be sure
to include the oxidation state of each):

a. Zn + 2H+ → Zn2+ + H2
b. 2Al + 3Cu2+→2Al3+ +3Cu
c. CO32- + 2H+→ CO2 + H2O
SOLUTIONS

a. Zn is oxidized (Oxidation number: 0 → +2); H+ is reduced (Oxidation number: +1 → 0)

b. Al is oxidized (Oxidation number: 0 → +3); Cu2+ is reduced (+2 → 0)
c. This is not a redox reaction because each element has the same oxidation number in both
reactants and products: O= -2, H= +1, C= +4.

(For further discussion, see the article on oxidation numbers).

An atom is oxidized if its oxidation number increases, the reducing agent, and an atom is reduced if its
oxidation number decreases, the oxidizing agent. The atom that is oxidized is the reducing agent, and
the atom that is reduced is the oxidizing agent. (Note: the oxidizing and reducing agents can be the same
element or compound).

Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

Redox reactions are comprised of two parts, a reduced half and an oxidized half, that always occur
together. The reduced half gains electrons and the oxidation number decreases, while the oxidized half
loses electrons and the oxidation number increases. Simple ways to remember this include the
mnemonic devices OIL RIG, meaning "oxidation is loss" and "reduction is gain," and LEO says
GER, meaning "loss of e- = oxidation" and "gain of e- = reduced." There is no net change in the number
of electrons in a redox reaction. Those given off in the oxidation half reaction are taken up by another
species in the reduction half reaction.

The two species that exchange electrons in a redox reaction are given special names. The ion or
molecule that accepts electrons is called the oxidizing agent; by accepting electrons it causes the
oxidation of another species. Conversely, the species that donates electrons is called the reducing
agent; when the reaction occurs, it reduces the other species. In other words, what is oxidized is the
reducing agent and what is reduced is the oxidizing agent. (Note: the oxidizing and reducing agents can
be the same element or compound, as in disproportionation reactions).

A good example of a redox reaction is the thermite reaction, in which iron atoms in ferric oxide lose (or
give up) O atoms to Al atoms, producing Al2O3.

Fe2O3(s)+2Al(s)→Al2O3(s)+2Fe(l)(1)(1)Fe2O3(s)+2Al(s)→Al2O3(s)+2Fe(l)
Example 4: Identifying Oxidized Elements

Using the equations from the previous examples, determine what is oxidized in the following reaction.

Zn+2H+→Zn2++H2(2)(2)Zn+2H+→Zn2++H2

SOLUTION

The oxidation state of H changes from +1 to 0, and the oxidation state of Zn changes from 0 to +2.
Hence, Zn is oxidized and acts as the reducing agent.

Example 5: Identifying Reduced Elements

What is reduced species in this reaction?

Zn+2H+→Zn2++H2(3)(3)Zn+2H+→Zn2++H2

SOLUTION

The oxidation state of H changes from +1 to 0, and the oxidation state of Zn changes from 0 to +2.
Hence, H+ ion is reduced and acts as the oxidizing agent.

Combination Reactions

Combination reactions are among the simplest redox reactions and, as the name suggests, involves
"combining" elements to form a chemical compound. As usual, oxidation and reduction occur together.
The general equation for a combination reaction is given below:

A+B→AB(4)(4)A+B→AB

Example 6: Combination Reaction

Consider the combination reaction of hydrogen and oxygen

H2+O2→H2O(5)(5)H2+O2→H2O
SOLUTION

0 + 0 → (2)(+1) + (-2) = 0

In this reaction both H2 and O2 are free elements; following Rule #1, their oxidation states are 0. The
product is H2O, which has a total oxidation state of 0. According to Rule #6, the oxidation state of
oxygen is usually -2. Therefore, the oxidation state of H in H2O must be +1.

Decomposition Reactions

A decomposition reaction is the reverse of a combination reaction, the breakdown of a chemical

compound into individual elements:

AB→A+B(6)(6)AB→A+B

Example 7: Decomposition Reaction

Consider the decomposition of water:

H2O→H2+O2(7)(7)H2O→H2+O2
Calculation:

(2)(+1) + (-2) = 0 → 0 + 0

Explanation: In this reaction, water is "decomposed" into hydrogen and oxygen. As in the previous
example the H2O has a total oxidation state of 0; thus, according to Rule #6 the oxidation state of oxygen
is usually -2, so the oxidation state of hydrogen in H2O must be +1.

Single Replacement Reactions

A single replacement reaction involves the "replacing" of an element in the reactants with another
element in the products:

A+BC→AB+C(8)(8)A+BC→AB+C
Example 8: Single Replacement Reaction

Equation:

Cl2+NaBr–––→NaCl–––+Br2(9)(9)Cl2+NaBr_→NaCl_+Br2

Calculation:

(0) + ((+1) + (-1) = 0) -> ((+1) + (-1) = 0) + 0

Explanation: In this equation, Br is replaced with Cl, and the Cl atoms in Cl2 are reduced, while the Br
ion in NaBr is oxidized.

Double Replacement Reactions

A double replacement reaction is similar to a double replacement reaction, but involves "replacing" two
elements in the reactants, with two in the products:

AB+CD→AD+CB(10)(10)AB+CD→AD+CB

Example 9: Double Replacement Reaction

MgSO4(aq)+Na2C2O4(aq)→MgC2O4(s)+Na2SO4(aq)(11)(11)MgSO4(aq)+Na2C2O4(aq)→MgC2
O4(s)+Na2SO4(aq)

Combustion Reactions

Combustion reactions almost always involve oxygen in the form of O2, and are almost always
exothermic, meaning they produce heat. Chemical reactions that give off light and heat and light are
colloquially referred to as "burning."

CxHy+O2→CO2+H2O(12)(12)CxHy+O2→CO2+H2O
Although combustion reactions typically involve redox reactions with a chemical being oxidized by
oxygen, many chemicals "burn" in other environments. For example, both titanium and magnesium
burn in nitrogen as well:

2Ti(s)+N2(g)→2TiN(s)(13)(13)2Ti(s)+N2(g)→2TiN(s)

3Mg(s)+N2(g)→Mg3N2(s)(14)(14)3Mg(s)+N2(g)→Mg3N2(s)

Moreover, chemicals can be oxidized by other chemicals than oxygen, such as Cl2 or F2; these processes
are also considered combustion reactions

Disproportionation Reactions

In disproportionation reactions, a single substance can be both oxidized and reduced. These are known
as disproportionation reactions, with the following general equation:

2A→A+n+A−n(15)(15)2A→A+n+A−n

Where nn is the number of electrons transferred. Disproportionation reactions do not need begin with
neutral molecules, and can involve more than two species with differing oxidation states (but rarely).

Example 1010: Disproportionation Reaction

Disproportionation reactions have some practical significance in everyday life, including the reaction
of hydrogen peroxide, H2O2 poured over a cut. This a decomposition reaction of hydrogen peroxide,
which produces oxygen and water. Oxygen is present in all parts of the chemical equation and as a
result it is both oxidized and reduced. The reaction is as follows:

2H2O2(aq)→2H2O(l)+O2(g)2H2O2(aq)→2H2O(l)+O2(g)

DISCUSSION

On the reactant side, H has an oxidation state of +1 and O has an oxidation state of -1, which changes
to -2 for the product H2O (oxygen is reduced), and 0 in the product O2O2(oxygen is oxidized).
References

1. Petrucci, et al. General Chemistry: Principles & Modern Applications. 9th ed. Upper Saddle
River, New Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2007.
2. Sadava, et al. Life: The Science of Biology. 8th ed. New York, NY. W.H. Freeman and
Company, 2007

Contributors

 Christopher Spohrer (UCD), Christina Breitenbuecher (UCD), Luvleen Brar (UCD)