CHM 111

Introductory Chemistry I
Topic: Redox reactions

Teacher
Dr. Ikenna .B. ONYEACHU
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Intended Learning Outcomes

• Understand the concept of oxidation and reduction.

• Identify oxidizing and reducing agents in chemical reactions.
• Balance redox reactions in acidic and alkaline solutions.

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 Redox reaction: Definition
Decrease in + −
Cu2 +2e = Cu
oxidation
number +2 0
Reduction
Acceptance of
electron
Redox
Increase in Zn= 𝑍𝑛2 +2𝑒
+ −

oxidation 0 +2
 Simultaneous
occurrence of reduction
number
and oxidation reactions Oxidation
Release of
electron

2+ 2+
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 Assigning oxidation states

Group I metals (Na, K, Li) +1

Group II metals (Ca, Mg, Be) +2
Al +3
Group IV (C, Si) +2, +4
Nitrogen +1, +2, +3, +5, –3
Oxygen –2, –1
Sulfur –2, +2, +4, +6

 Sum of oxidation states in a neutral molecules equals 0.

 Sum of oxidation states in a charged molecules equals the charge on the molecule.
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Examples.

• Determine the oxidation states of:

• Cl in HClO3

• Mn in KMnO4 Describe how the oxidation state of carbon changes

during the oxidation of methane to carbon dioxide.
• S in H2S2O7

• Cr in Cr2O42–

• Al in LiAlH4
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 Oxidizing and reducing agents
Oxidizing agent Reducing agent
Oxidation state decreases after Oxidation state increase after redox
redox reaction reaction
Accepts electrons during redox Donates electrons during redox
reaction reaction

Identify the oxidizing and reducing agents in the following reactions

(1) Cl2 + 2NaBr → 2NaCl + Br2

(4) Fe2+ + MnO4– → Fe3+ + Mn2+
(2) Zn + CuSO4 → ZnSO4 + Cu

(3) Fe2O3 + 6HCl → 2FeCl3 + 3H2O

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Balancing redox reactions

Does the reaction H+(aq) and H2O(l) may be

occur in acidic or basic possible reactants or
solution? products in acidic
solution.
What species result
from the oxidation and
reduction? OH–(aq) and H2O(l) may
be possible reactants or
Which is oxidizing products in acidic
agent? Which is solution.
reducing agent?

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  Multiply each half-reaction by a factor,
Balancing redox reactions cancel electrons.

 Simplify the balanced equation, cancel

species that occur on both sides, reduce
coefficients to the smallest whole numbers.
Balancing Redox
equations  Check that the equation is indeed balanced.

Split reaction Combine both

Complete and
Assign oxidation into oxidation half-reactions,
balance each
numbers and reduction obtain balanced
half-reaction
half-reactions equation.

(1) (3) (4)

Balance all atoms except O and H. (2) Balance H atoms, add H+ as reactant.

Balance O atoms, form H2O as product. Balance charge, add e– to more positive side.
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Example: Balance the following redox reaction
Fe2+ + MnO4– → Fe3+ + Mn2+

(1) Fe2+ → Fe3+ + e– (oxidation half-reation)

2(a) MnO4– → Mn2+ (Reduction half-reation)

2(b) MnO4– → Mn2+ + 4H2O (Reduction half-reation)

2(c) MnO4– + 8H+ → Mn2+ + 4H2O (Reduction half-reation)

2(d) MnO4– + 8H+ +5e–→ Mn2+ + 4H2O (Reduction half-reation)

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 Multiply (1) by 5 and 2(d) by 1 so as to cancel electrons.

(1) 5Fe2+ → 5Fe3+ + 5e– (oxidation half-reation)

2(d) MnO4– + 8H+ +5e–→ Mn2+ + 4H2O (Reduction half-reation)

(3) 5Fe2+ + MnO4– + 8H+ + 5e– → 5Fe3+ + 5e– + Mn2+ + 4H2O

Balanced redox reaction: 5Fe2+ + MnO4– + 8H+ → 5Fe3+ + Mn2+ + 4H2O

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Redox reactions in acidic solution

• Zinc metal reacts with nitric acid, HNO3, to produce a number of

products, depending on how dilute the acid solution is. In a
concentrated solution, zinc reduces nitrate ion to ammonium ion
while zinc is oxidized to zinc ion, Zn2+. Write the net ionic
equation for this redox reaction.

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 Redox reaction: Zn + NO3– → Zn2+ + NH4+
(1) Zn → Zn2+ + 2e– (oxidation half-reaction)

2(a) NO3– → NH4+ (reduction half-reaction)

2(b) NO3– → NH4+ + H2O (reduction half-reaction)

2(c) NO3– + 10H+ → NH4+ + 3H2O (reduction half-reaction)

2(d) NO3– + 10H+ + 8e– → NH4+ + 3H2O (reduction half-reaction)

Multiply (1) by 4 and 2(d) by 1 so as to cancel electrons.

(1) 4Zn → 4Zn2+ + 8e– 2(d) NO3– + 10H+ + 8e– → NH4+ + 3H2O
Balanced reaction: 4Zn + NO3– + 10H+ → 4Zn2+ + NH4+ 12+ 3H2O
Redox reactions in alkaline solution.

• Permanganate ion oxidizes sulfite ion in basic solution

according to the following skeleton equation:

MnO4– + SO3–2 → MnO2 + SO42–

• Use the half-reaction method to complete and balance the

above equation.

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 (1a) SO3–2 → SO42– + 2e– (oxidation half-reation)
(1b) SO3–2 + 2OH– → SO42– + H2O + 2e– (oxidation half-reation)

(2a) MnO4– + 3e– → MnO2 (reduction half-reation)

(2b) MnO4– + 2H2O + 3e– → MnO2 + 4OH– (reduction half-reation)

Multiply (1b) by 3 and (2b) by 2, so as to cancel electrons.

(1b) 3SO3–2 + 6OH– → 3SO42– + 3H2O + 6e– (oxidation half-reation)

(2b) 2MnO4– + 4H2O + 6e– → 2MnO2 + 8OH– (reduction half-reation)

3SO3–2 + 6OH– + 2MnO4– + 4H2O → 3SO42– + 3H2O + 2MnO2 + 8OH–

Balanced reaction: 3SO3–2 + 2MnO4– + H2O → 3SO42– + 2MnO
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2 + 2OH
–
Assignment
• Balance the following redox reactions:

(1) H2O2 + ClO2 → ClO2– + O2 (in alkaline solution)

(2) I2 + NO3– → IO3– + NO2 (in acidic solution)

(3) MnO4– + CH3OH → Mn+2 + HCO2H (in acidic solution)

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QUESTIONS?

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THANK YOU !!

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