MOI UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
CHEMICAL & PROCESS ENGINEERING LABS
TEC 112 CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS

REDOX

A QUALITATIVE DETERMINATION OF THE RELATIVE POSITION OF REDUCTION

OXIDATION COUPLES
THEORY
An oxidation-reduction reaction is a reaction where a change of oxidation number (valence) occurs. There is
transference of electrons during the reaction. The oxidation-reduction reaction can formally be written as separate
half-reactions.

Example.

2+¿ −¿ ¿¿
1. Cu(s) → Cu(aq )+ 2e ¿

2 Ag+(s)¿ +2−¿e 2 Ag (s ) ¿¿
¿

+¿ 2+¿
Cu(s) +2 Ag(aq) → Cu(aq )+ 2 Ag( s) (Overall equation)¿ ¿

+¿ −¿¿ ¿
2. 3 Ag(s ) → 3 Ag(aq) +3 e ¿

+¿ +¿ −¿→ NO (g)+ 6 H 2 O(l ) ¿ ¿

4 H 3 O(aq) + NO3(aq) +3 e ¿¿

+¿
+¿ −¿→ 3 Ag( aq)+ NO( g) +6 H 2 O( l )(Overall equation)¿ ¿
3 Ag(s )+ 4 H 3 O(aq) + NO 3 ¿

It is important to note that half-reactions should be added in such a way that the electrons cancel out in
the net equation. The strength of an oxidizing agent depends on its tendency to gain additional electrons.
Likewise the less attraction a substance has for electrons which it possesses, the more easily it is
oxidized and hence the stronger it is as a reducing agent for a different substance.

Thus in the reaction

+¿ 2+¿
2 Ag(aq) +Cu(s) → Cu(s) → CU (aq )+ 2 Ag(s) ¿¿

Silver ion is a strong oxidizing agent than the copper (II) ions. Since the reaction takes place in the
direction indicated and not in the reverse direction. That is silver ions have a stronger enough attraction
for electrons to take them away from copper atoms.

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 It is possible to arrange the various oxidizing and reducing agents as half reactions in series according to
their relative tendencies to gain or lose electrons. It is decided by convention in which way the half-
reaction equations should be listed in the electromotive force series. The half-reaction equations are
normally written in their reduction forms. At the top of the series is the strongest oxidizing agent while
at the bottom is the strongest reducing agent. The replacement list of the elements copper, zinc, silver
and hydrogen gives a list of the electromotive force series for these substances.

+ ( aq )
Ag + e−→ Ag( s) +0.80

2+¿
Cu(aq )+ 2 e →Cu( s) +0.34 ¿

+¿
2 H (aq) +2 e−→ H 2(g ) 0.00 ¿

2+¿
Zn(aq) +2−e → Zn( s )−0.76 ¿

+¿
The strongest oxidizing agent in the series is Ag(aq) ¿ and the strongest reducing agent is Zn(aq)

From the experiments you are going to perform and the information given in the procedure, you should
be able to extend the above reduction series for various other half-reactions.

A. PRELIMINARY EXERCISE
Before performing the experiment, complete the preliminary exercise on the answer sheet,
showing the substances oxidized and reduced in the several equations given and the change in
the oxidation state for each.

Net Ionic Equations Element Electrons Element Electrons

Oxidized Lost per reduced gained
atom per atom
−¿
1 Zn(s )+ 2 H 3 O(aq) → Zn
2+ ¿+ H 2( g)+2 H 2 O(l) ¿
Zn(s ) 2 H (aq) ¿ 1
+¿
2 Zn(s )+Cu2(aq) 2+¿
→ Zn(aq )+Cu (s) ¿ ¿
Zn 2 Cu
−¿ +¿
3 3 Ag(s )+ 4 H +¿+ N O 3( aq) → 3 Ag( aq)+ NO(g )+2 H 2 O(l) ¿¿¿

¿ −¿
4 2 C u2+
(aq) +4 I (aq) → Cul(s) + I 2(aq) ¿ ¿
+¿ −¿
5 Ag(aq) +C l(aq) → AgCl(aq) ¿ ¿
+¿
6 H 2 S(g ) + I 2 O(s ) → S (s) +2 H (aq) +2 I −¿
(aq) ¿ ¿

7 Cu2+¿
(aq )+ 4 NH 3(aq) → Cu¿ ¿

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PROCEDURE B

1. Place quarter-spatula full of copper powder into each of the following boiling tubes containing
5ml of 0.1 M Zinc Nitrate, 0.1 M Magnesium Sulphate and 0.1 M Iron II Chloride solutions
respectively. Shake the tubes and allow standing.
2. Place quarter-spatula full of Zinc Powder into test tubes containing 5ml of 0.1 M Copper (II)
Nitrate, 0.1 M Magnesium Sulphate solutions. Shake the tubes and allow standing.
3. Repeat the procedure in (1) and (2) above using iron powder, if available or a small piece of steel
wool. Shake the tubes and allow standing.
4. Repeat the procedure in (1) and (2) using Magnesium powder. Shake the tubes and allow
standing.

OBSERVATIONS

Put a tick (√) where there appears to be a change in the metal powder and a cross (×) where the metal
powder does not seem to be affected.
2+¿ 2+¿ 2 +¿ 2+¿
Solution / Metal Cu(aq ) ¿ Zn(aq) ¿ Fe(aq) ¿ Mg(aq) ¿
Powder
Cu(s)
Zn(s )
Fe(s)
Mg(s )

Arrange the half reactions ×(aq) ∧×(s) starting with the metal that is easily reduced i.e the strongest
oxidizing agent to the one that is most difficult to be reduced (i.e weakest oxidizing agent hence
strongest reducing agent)

Write net ionic equations for cases where reactions occurred.

PROCEDURE C

1. Put a small strip of Copper Metal in 5ml of 0.1 M Silver Nitrate Solution.
2. Put a small strip of Copper Metal in 5ml of 3 M Hydrochloric Acid.

OBSERVATIONS
+¿ +¿
Solution / Metal Ag(aq) ¿ H 3 O(aq) ¿
Cu(s)

Arrange the reactions involved here in their decreasing order of their oxidizing strengths.

Write the net ionic equations for the reactions that took place

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PROCEDURE D

1. Add 10 drops of Chloroform to each of the test tubes containing about 2ml of 0.1 m Potassium
Bromide and Sodium Chloride. Shake the contents in the boiling tube and allow standing.
2. Add 10 drops of Chloroform to each of the test tubes containing about 2ml of 0.1 m Potassium
Iodide Solution and Potassium Chloride. Shake the contents in the boiling tube and allow
standing.
3. Add 10 drops of Chloroform to each of the test tubes containing 2ml Bromine Water and Iodine
Solution in water. Shake the contents and allow standing.
4. Take about 1ml of Potassium Iodide Solution and mix it with about 1ml of Bromine Water. Add
10 drops of Chloroform. Shake the contents and allow standing.
5. Repeat the procedure in (3) for Iodine Solution in water.
6. Take about 1ml of Potassium Chloride Solution and mix it with about 1ml of Bromine Water.
Add 10 drops of Chloroform. Shake the contents and allow standing.
7. Take about 1ml of Potassium Bromide Solution and mix it with about 1ml of Iodine Solution.
Add 10 drops of Chloroform. Shake the contents and allow standing.
8. Take about 1ml of Sodium Chloride Solution and mix it with about 1ml of Iodine Solution. Add
10 drops of Chloroform. Shake the contents and allow standing.

OBSERVATIONS

Mixtures Observations
KBr(aq) +CHC l3
NaCl(aq) +CHC l 3
K I (aq) +CHC l 3
KCl(aq) +CHC l 3
Br 2(aq) +CHC l 3
I 2(aq) +CHC l3
K I (aq) + Br 2(aq) +CHC l 3
I 2(aq) + Br 2(aq) +CHC l 3
KCl(aq) +Br 2(aq)+ CHC l 3
KBr(aq) + I 2(aq) +CHC l 3
Nacl(aq) + I 2(aq) +CHC l 3

I. Which of the halide ions tested was oxidized by

a) Two halogen elements?
b) One halogen elements
c) None of the halogen elements
II. a) Arrange the halide ion-halogen element half-reactions in their decreasing order of
their reductions
b) Which is the strongest
i. Reducing agent?
ii. Oxidizing agent?

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 −¿(aq )¿
−¿e →2 F ¿
III. If the half-reaction F 2(g) +2 were included in the series where in the halide ion-halogen
element series would it be located?

PROCEDURE E

1. Add about 1ml of 0.1 M Iron (II) Chloride Solution to about 2ml of 0.1 M Potassium Bromide
Solution. Add twenty (20) drops Chloroform to the contents in the boiling tube. Shake and leave
to stand.
2. Repeat the procedure for Iron III Chloride
3. Add three drops of Potassium Hexacynoferrate III to the aqueous layer in both cases.
4. Repeat the procedure in (1) but use 0.1 M Potassium Iodide instead of Potassium Bromide
Solution.

OBSERVATIONS

Mixtures Observations
+¿
Fe2(aq) + KBr−¿ (aq) +CHCl 3(l) ¿ ¿
2 +¿ −¿
Fe(aq) + I (aq) +CHCl 3(l) ¿ ¿
+¿
Fe3(aq) + I −¿
(aq) +CHCl 3(l) + K 3 (Fe)¿ ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿
3 +¿ −¿
Fe(aq) + I (aq) +CHCl 3(l) + K 3 ¿ ¿ ¿

3 +¿
Write the ionic equation (if any) for the reaction between Fe(aq) ¿ with halide ions.

Iron (III) with Iodide ion …………………………………………………………….

Iron (III) with bromide ion …………………………………………………………..

Insert the word ‘above’ or ‘below’ in the open space:

3 +¿ ¿ 2 +¿
Fe(aq) +e → Fe(aq) should be¿ I 2(aq) +2 e−¿→ 2 I −¿
−(aq ) ¿¿ ¿¿

3 +¿ ¿ 2+ ¿
Fe(aq) +2 e → Fe(aq) should be ¿ B r 2(aq) +2 e−¿→ 2 Br −¿
−(aq) ¿¿ ¿¿

PROCEDURE F

1. Add two or three crystals of solid potassium permanganate to about 3ml of 3 M Hydrochloric
Acid. Warm the boiling tube put moist litmus paper at the mouth of the tube.

OBSERVATIONS

I. In the reaction Hcl+ KMnO 4=Klc + MnC l 2 +C l 2 + H 2 O explain the oxidation-reduction reaction
that gives MnC l2 ∧C l 2
II. The half-reactions involved in the above reactions may be:
2+¿
−¿ +¿ −¿ → Mn( aq)+4 H 2 O(l)¿ ¿
MnO2 (aq) +8 H(aq) +5 e ¿¿
−¿
−¿→2 l (aq) ¿¿
l 2(g ) +2 e

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From your observations, write the net ionic equation for the reaction that took place;

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

III. What is the

i. Oxidizing agent?
ii. Reducing agent?
IV. Arrange the two half-reactions in their decreasing order of reduction.

PROCEDURE F

1. Add 2ml Bromine Water to a boiling tube containing Copper Turnings. Shake the mixture for a
few minutes. Decant the solution into a clean boiling tube. Boil the mixture for a few seconds
then divide the portion into two. Add a few drops of Silver Nitrate solution to one portion. To the
other portion add a few drops of Ammonia Solution.
2. Repeat the above procedure using Iron Powder or Steel wool.

OBSERVATIONS

I. C u(s) + B r 2(aq)
II. C u(s) + B r 2( g)

Experiment Observations
First portion
Second portion

III. Fe(s) + B r 2(aq)

Experiment Observations
First portion
Second portion

i. What is the experimental evidence that any reaction occurred in (I) and (II) above
ii. Write the net ionic equation for case (s) where the reaction occurred.

SUMMARY

1. Construct the reduction half-reaction series for all the half-reactions studied in this experiment in
decreasing order.
2. Using the half-equation series above, write the net ionic equation for the reaction which will
occur when a solution of potassium permanganate is mixed with that of iron (II) sulphate.

References: 1. Skoog and West Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry Pg. 3266-382

2. Sienko and Plane Chemical Principles and Properties 2nd Edition pg 399-404

3. Hill and Holman Chemistry in Context Pg. 186-196

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CHEMICAL & PROCESS ENGINEERING MOI UNIVERSITY