REDOX REACTION=3 MARKS

1. Redox reactions are those reactions in which oxidation and reduction take
place simultaneously

2. Classical view of redox reactions

• Oxidation is addition of oxygen / electronegative element to a
substance or removal of hydrogen / electropositive element from a substance

• Reduction is removal of oxygen / electronegative element from a substance or

addition of hydrogen / electropositive element to a substance
2 FeCl3 (aq) + H2 (g) →2 FeCl2 (aq) + 2 HCl(aq)

3. Redox reactions in terms of Electron transfer

• Oxidation is defined as loss of electrons by any species
• Reduction is defined as gain of electrons by any species

In the reactions given below, identify the species undergoing oxidation and reduction:

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

ii) 2 Na (s) + H2 (g) → 2 NaH (s)
iii)
4. In oxidation reactions there is loss of electrons or increase in positivecharge or
decrease in negative charge

5. In reduction reactions there is gain of electrons or decrease in positivecharge or

increase in negative charge

Justify that the reaction : 2 Na(s) + H2(g) → 2 NaH (s) is a redox change.

6. Oxidising agents are species which gain one or more electrons and get reduced
themselves

7. Reducing agents are the species which lose one or more electrons and gets
oxidized themselves

8. Oxidation number denotes the oxidation state of an element in a compound

ascertained according to a set of rules. These rules are formulated on the
basis that electron in a covalent bond belongs entirely to the more electronegative
element.

10. Group I metals it is 1

9. According to Stock notation the oxidation number is expressed by putting a

Roman numeral representing the oxidation number in parenthesis after the
symbol of the metal in the molecular formula

10.Types of Redox Reactions

• Combination Reactions: Chemical reactions in which two or more substances
(elements or compounds) combine to form a single substance
3Mg(s) + N2(g) -------- Mg3N2(s)

• Decomposition Reactions: Chemical reactions in which a compound break up into

two or more simple substances
2H2O (l) -------- 2H2 (g) + O2(g)
• Displacement Reactions: Reaction in which one ion(or atom)in a compound is
replaced by an ion(or atom) of other element

a. Metal Displacement Reactions: Reactions in which a metal in a compound is

displaced by another metal in the uncombined state
CuSO4(aq) + Zn (s) → Cu(s) + ZnSO4 (aq)
b. Non-metal Displacement Reactions: Such reactions are mainly hydrogen
displacement or oxygen displacement reactions
c.
2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g)
• Disproportionation Reactions: Reactions in which an element in one oxidation state is
simultaneously oxidized and reduced

Which of the following species, do not show disproportionation reaction and why ?
ClO–, ClO2 –, ClO3 and ClO4-
–

Also write reaction for each of the species that disproportionates.

Among the oxoanions of chlorine listed above, ClO4– does not disproportionate because in this
oxoanion chlorine is present in its highest oxidation state that is, +7. The disproportionation
reactions
for the other three oxoanions of chlorine are as follows:

Stock notation
Stock notation. According to this, the oxidation number is expressed by putting a Roman
numeral representing the oxidation number in parenthesis after the symbol of the metal in the
molecular formula. Thus aurous chloride and auric chloride are written as Au(I)Cl and
Au(III)Cl3. Similarly, stannous chloride and stannic chloride are written as Sn(II)Cl2 and
Sn(IV)Cl4.

Using Stock notation, represent the following compounds :HAuCl4, Tl2O, FeO, Fe2O3, CuI, CuO, MnO and MnO2
HAu(III)Cl4, Tl2(I)O, Fe(II)O, Fe2(III)O3, Cu(I)I, Cu(II)O, Mn(II)O, Mn(IV)O 2.

13.Steps involved in balancing a Redox reaction by oxidation number method

• Write the skeletal redox reaction for all reactants and products of thereaction
• Indicate the oxidation number of all the atoms in each compoundabove the symbol of
element
• Identify the element/elements which undergo change in oxidationnumbers
• Calculate the increase or decrease in oxidation number per atom
• Equate the increase in oxidation number with decrease in oxidationnumber on the
reactant side by multiplying formula of oxidizing agentand reducing agents with
suitable coefficients
• Balance the equation with respect to all other atoms except hydrogenand oxygen
• Finally balance hydrogen and oxygen. For balancing oxygen atoms addwater
molecules to the side deficient in it. Balancing of hydrogen atoms depend upon the
medium
a. For reactions taking place in acidic solutions add H+ ionsto the side deficient in
hydrogen atoms
b. For reactions taking place in basic solutions add H2Omolecules to the side deficient
in hydrogen atoms andsimultaneously add equal number of OH- ions on the
other side of the equation
• Finally balance the equation by cancelling common species present on
both sides of the equation

15. Application of Redox reactions: Redox Titrations

• Potassium permanganate in redox reactions: Potassium permanganate(KMnO4) is
very strong oxidizing agent and is used in determination ofmany reducing agents like
Fe2+, oxalate ions etc. It acts as selfindicator in redox reactions.
Equation showing KMnO4 as an oxidising agent in acidic medium is:

Acidified Potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) in redox reactions: K2Cr2O7is used as an

oxidizing agent in redox reactions. Titrations involvingK2Cr2O7 uses diphenylamine and
potassium ferricyanide (externalindicator).

 • Iodine (I2) in redox reactions: I2 acts as mild oxidising agent insolution according to
equation.

18.Electrochemical cell is a device that converts chemical energy produced in aredox

reaction into electrical energy. These cells are also called Galvaniccells or Voltaic cells

19. The electrode at which oxidation occurs is called anode and is negativelycharged
20.The electrode at which reduction takes place is called cathode and is positively
charged
21.In an electrochemical cell the transfer of electrons takes place from anodeto cathode
22. In an electrochemical cell the flow of current is from cathode to anode

23.In the electrochemical cell, the electrical circuit is completed with a salt bridge. Salt
bridge also maintains the electrical neutrality of the two half cells

24. A salt bridge is a U shaped tube filled with solution of inert electrolyte likesodium
chloride or sodium sulphate which will not interfere in the redox reaction. The ions are
set in a gel or agar agar so that only ions flow when inverted

25.Electrical potential difference developed between the metal and its solutionis called
electrode potential. It can also be defined as tendency of anelectrode in a half cell to
gain or lose electrons

26.Oxidation potential is the tendency of an electrode to lose electrons or to

get oxidized27.Reduction potential is the tendency of an electrode to gain electrons or
getreduced

27.In an electrochemical cell, by the present convention, the electrodepotentials are

represented as reduction potential

28.The electrode having a higher reduction potential will have a highertendency to gain
electrons

29. By convention, the standard electrode potential of hydrogen electrode is0.00 volts
30. A redox couple is defined as having together oxidized and reduced forms ofa
substance taking part in an oxidation or reduction half reaction

Electrochemical cell- The cell which convert chemical energy into electrical energy
Examples: Daniellcell,galvanicor a voltaic cell.
Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)

(i) Cu2+ + 2e– Cu(s) (reduction half reaction) Cathode reaction ( Positive electrode)
2+
(ii) Zn(s) Zn + 2e– (oxidation half reaction) Anode reaction ( Negative electrode)

These reactions occur in two different portions of the Daniell cell. The reduction half reaction occurs
on the copper electrode while the oxidation half reaction occurs on the zinc electrode. These two
portions
of the cell are also called half-cells or redox couples. The copper electrode may be called the
reduction half cell and the zinc electrode, the oxidation half-cell.

A potential difference develops between the electrode and the electrolyte which is called electrode
potential.
The potential difference between the two electrodes of a galvanic cell is called the cell potential and
is measured in volts.
The cell potential is the difference between the electrode potentials (reduction potentials)of the
cathode and anode. It is called the cell electromotive force (emf) of the cell when no current is drawn
through the cell.
Ecell = Eright – Eleft

Cell reaction:
Cu(s) + 2Ag+(aq) Cu2+(aq) + 2 Ag(s) (3.4)
Half-cell reactions:
Cathode (reduction): 2Ag+(aq) + 2e– 2Ag(s) (3.5)
2+
Anode (oxidation): Cu(s) Cu (aq) + 2e–
• In the cell and that silver electrode acts as a cathode and copper electrode acts as an anode.
The cell can be represented as:
Cu(s)|Cu2+(aq)||Ag+(aq)|Ag(s)
and we have Ecell = Eright – Eleft = EAg+Ag – ECu2+Cu

Standard Hydrogen Electrode:

According to convention, a half-cell called standard hydrogen electrode represented by
Pt(s) H2(g) H+(aq), is assigned a zero potential at all temperatures corresponding to the reaction
H+ (aq) + e– 12 H2(g)
The standard hydrogen electrode consists of a platinum electrode coated with platinum black. The
electrode is dipped in an acidic solution and pure hydrogen gas is bubbled through it. The
concentration of both the reduced and oxidised forms of hydrogen is maintained at unity. This
implies that the pressure of hydrogen gas is one bar and the concentration of hydrogen ion in the
solution is one molar.

Higher the E0 Value- cathode(+) and strong oxidizing agent

Lower the E0 value – Anode (-)and strong reducing agent
The E0 value of an element can be determined by connected to the Standard hydrogen electrode.

Answer the following questions

Write the net ionic equation for the reaction of potassium dichromate(VI), K2Cr2O7 with sodium
sulphite, Na2SO3, in an acid solution to give chromium(III) ion and the sulphate ion.

Permanganate ion reacts with bromide ion in basic medium to give manganese dioxide and
bromate ion. Write the balanced ionic equation for the reaction.

Assign oxidation number to the underlined elements in each of the following species:

Write formulas for the following compounds:

(a) Mercury(II) chloride (b) Nickel(II) sulphate
(c) Tin(IV) oxide (d) Thallium(I) sulphate
(e) Iron(III) sulphate (f) Chromium(III) oxide
 Hydrogen in +1 except in metal hydrides example NaH then
any compound hydrogen atom has

Oxygen in any -2 except in peroxides example H2O2 or Na2O2 then

compound oxygen atom has oxidation state of -1 or in F2O , then
oxygen atom has oxidation state of +2
Fluorine in -1 being most electronegative
any compound
Chlorine, -ve oxidation state if bonded to less electronegative
bromine, element eg NaCl; then Cl = -1.
iodine +ve oxidation state if bonded to more electronegative
element eg ClO- , then Cl = +1; ClO3 - , then Cl = +5

Any element Zero

Fe2+ Fe3+

Step 7: Add the reactions and cancel out common terms.

Mn7+O-241- + Fe2+ → Mn2+ + Fe3+

The next step is to determine oxidation numbers. In the summary

table below we will only include items whose oxidation numbers
change. Since the number of electrons lost must equal the number
of electrons gained, we will multiply by values that give us equal
numbers of electrons:
Element Initial O.N Final O.N Change in Balance e-
No of e-
Mn +7 +5 5 5 x1 =5
Fe +2 +3 1 1 x5 =5

Balancing our equation for electrons we get:

MnO41- + 5 Fe2+ + H1+ → 1 Mn2+ + 5 Fe3+ + H2O
the equation is not balanced for hydrogen and oxygen atoms!
After balancing for electrons, it is still necessary to balance for
all other atoms in the equation. Using inspection we see that
there are 4 oxygen on the reactant side of the equation (1
MnO41-), but only 1 on the product side. Put a 4 in front of H2O
to correct this:
1MnO−4+5Fe2+(aq)+H+⟶1Mn+2+5Fe+3+4H2O

We now have 8 hydrogen on the product side (4H2O)

so we will need 8 on the reactant side as well. This gives us
our final balanced equation:
1MnO−4+5Fe2+(aq)+8H+⟶1Mn+2+5Fe+3+4H2O

Next, check for any subscripts associated with either of these two elements - we see that CrCr always
has a subscript of "2" (in both K2Cr2O7K2Cr2O7 and Cr2(SO4)3Cr2(SO4)3), and I has a subscript
in I2I2. So we'll add that to our summary chart to get a total number of electrons transferred,
and then balance.

elemen initia fina No. No balance for electrons

t l l chang atoms .
ox ox e in e- e-
no no

CrCr +6 → +3 3 × 2 = 6 × 1 = 6

II +1 → 0 1 × 2 = 2 × 3 = 6

Our table now tells us to use a balancing coefficient of "1" for CrCr on both sides of the equation and
"3" for iodine. Since we counted the atoms in I2I2 (and not HIHI), the "3" will go in front of I2I2:
1K2Cr2O7+NaI+H2SO4⟶1Cr2(SO4)3+3I2+H2O+Na2SO4+K2SO41K2Cr2O7+NaI+H2SO4⟶
1Cr2(SO4)3+3I2+H2O+Na2SO4+K2SO4
With these numbers in place, we now balance for atoms in the remainder of the equation to get our
final answer:
1K2Cr2O7+6NaI+7H2SO4⟶1Cr2(SO4)3+3I2+7H2O+3Na2SO4+1K2SO41K2Cr2O7+6NaI+7
H2SO4⟶1Cr2(SO4)3+3I2+7H2O+3Na2SO4+1K2SO4

One more tricky one. Balance:

Zn+HNO3⟶Zn(NO3)2+NO2+H2OZn+HNO3⟶Zn(NO3)2+NO2+H2O
Determine oxidation numbers and create your summary chart:

element initial final No. No. balance for

ox ox change atoms e- electrons
no no in e-

ZnZn 0 → +2 2

NN +5 → +4 1

The main thing to notice is that NN appears in two separate products

- Zn(NO3)2Zn(NO3)2 and NO2NO2. Should we consider the subscript for nitrogen
from Zn(NO3)2Zn(NO3)2? In this case no, because this compound also contains ZnZn, the oxidized
element. Also, the oxidation number for nitrogen does not change
from HNO3HNO3 to Zn(NO3)2Zn(NO3)2 .

element initial final balance for electrons

ox ox change
no no in e-

ZnZn 0 → +2 2 × 1 = 2

NN +5 → +4 1 × 2 = 2

We now get our balancing coefficients from our summary table. A "1" will be placed in front of ZnZn,
but which NN should we use for the "2"? If you put it in front of
both HNO3HNO3 and NO2NO2 you'll find you cannot balance for nitrogen atoms. Since the
oxidation number for nitrogen changed in becoming NO2NO2, we will try it there first. Some trial-
and-error may be required:
1Zn+HNO3⟶1Zn(NO3)2+2NO2+H2O1Zn+HNO3⟶1Zn(NO3)2+2NO2+H2O
With the 2 in place in front of NO2NO2, we can now balance the rest of the equation for atoms. Doing
so gives us the final answer:
1Zn+4HNO3⟶1Zn(NO3)2+2NO2+2H2O1Zn+4HNO3⟶1Zn(NO3)2+2NO2+2H2O
Balancing by oxidation number can be easy or difficult, depending on the equation you are given to
balance. If you sometimes struggle with the more difficult examples, don't worry - you do get better
with practice. Focus first on solving the simpler equations.