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Understanding Redox Reactions Basics

The document discusses redox reactions, defining oxidation as the gain of oxygen and reduction as the loss of oxygen, with examples provided. It explains the concept of oxidation and reduction in terms of electron transfer, half equations, and oxidation numbers, including rules for determining oxidation states. Additionally, it illustrates the application of these concepts through examples and calculations involving oxidation numbers in compounds.

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Vidyashankar
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27 views10 pages

Understanding Redox Reactions Basics

The document discusses redox reactions, defining oxidation as the gain of oxygen and reduction as the loss of oxygen, with examples provided. It explains the concept of oxidation and reduction in terms of electron transfer, half equations, and oxidation numbers, including rules for determining oxidation states. Additionally, it illustrates the application of these concepts through examples and calculations involving oxidation numbers in compounds.

Uploaded by

Vidyashankar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Redox Reactions

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20th March 2024
Redox Reaction
• Oxidation is the gain of oxygen by an element
• For example, 2Mg(s) + O2(g) -> 2MgO(s)
• Reduction is the loss of oxygen by an element
• For example, CuO(s) + H2(g) -> Cu(s) + H2O(l)
• When both of these occur at the same time in a chemical
reaction, then such a reaction is called the redox reaction
• For example, photosynthesis and respiration are both redox
reactions
Redox and Electron Transfer
• Oxidation is loss of electrons
• Reduction is gain of electrons
• For example 2 Na (s) + Cl2(g) -> 2NaCl(s)
Half Equations
• Na -> Na(+) + e(-)
• This half equation shows that Sodium is oxidised
• Cl2 + 2e(-) -> 2Cl(-)
• This half equation shows that Chlorine is reduced
Oxidation Number
• Oxidation Number is the number given to each atom or
ion in a compound that shows us its degree of oxidation
• Oxidation numbers can be positive, negative or zero
• Higher positive oxidation numbers mean that an atom or
ion is more oxidised
• Higher negative oxidation numbers mean that an atom or
ion is more reduced
Oxidation Number Rules
• The oxidation number of any uncombined element is zero
For example, the oxidation number of each atom in Cl2 and Zn
is 0
• In compounds many atoms or ions have fixed oxidation numbers
Group 1 elements are +1 while Group 2 elements are +2
• The Oxidation number of an element in a monoatomic ion is
always the same as charge
For example, Cl(-) is -1 and Al(3+) is +3
Oxidation Number Rules
• The sum of oxidation numbers in a compound is Zero
• The sum of oxidation numbers in an ion is equal to the
charge on the ion
• In either a compound or the ion, the more electronegative
element is given the negative oxidation number
• Oxidation is an increase of Oxidation Number
• Reduction is a decrease in Oxidation Number
Application
• Let’s take the example of Na(2)O and we wish to find the
Oxidation Number of Na in the compound
• It is a neutral molecule and therefore the sum of Oxidation
Numbers in the compound should be equal to 0
• If the oxidation number is x, then 2 x + (-2) = 0
• In other words, x = 1 and hence the oxidation number of
Sodium in this particular compound 1
Example
• CuO + NH3 -> Cu + N2 + H2O
(+2) (-3) 0 0
Clearly Cu is getting reduced while N is getting oxidised
For Cu, O.N Change = -2
For N, O.N Change = +3
• Balance the equation by looking at LCM : 3 CuO + 2 NH3 ->
3Cu + N2 +3 H2O

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