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CHAPTER 5
OXIDATION AND REDUCTION
Oxidation
(In terms of oxygen and hydrogen)
Oxidation is the addition of oxygen or an electronegative element to a substance or the removal of
hydrogen or an electropositive element from a substance.
e.g., 2Cu (s) + O2 (g) → CuO (s)
H2S (g) + Cl2 (g) → 2 HCl (g) + S (s)
(In term of electron)
Oxidation is the loss of electron by an element, compound or ion.
Reduction
(In terms of oxygen and hydrogen)
Reduction is the addition of hydrogen or an electropositive element to a substance or the removal
of oxygen or an electronegative element from a substance.
e.g., Cl2 (g) + H2 (g) → 2HCl (g)
CuO (s) + H2 (g) → Cu (s) + H2O (l)
(In term of electron)
Reduction is the gain of electron by an element, compound or ion.
Oxidizing agent
Oxidizing agent is an acceptor of electrons.
e.g., oxygen, chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid (dil./conc.), potassium permanganate,
potassium dichromate
Reducing agent
Reducing agent is a donor of electrons.
e.g., hydrogen, carbon, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, sulphur dioxide
"mwfwdk;udef; (oxidation number) owfrSwfyHk
1. The algebraic sum of the oxidation numbers of all atoms in a formula is equal to the net charge
on the group of atoms.
j'yfaygif; (odkY) tufwrftpkwGifyg0ifaom tufwrftm;vHk;\
"mwfwdk;udef;aygif;v'fonf ,if; j'yfaygif; (odkY) tufwrftpk\ udk,fpm;jyKaom net
charge ESifYwlnDonf/
e.g., The sum of oxidation number (O.N) in Na+Cl- = 0
2
The sum of oxidation number (O.N) in MnO4- = -1
2. All elements in the free state have an oxidation number of zero.
vGwfvyfaomtajctaewGif&Sdaom tufwrfwpfck\ "mwfwdk;udef;onf okn jzpfonf/
e.g., O.N of Na atom = 0, O.N of Ag atom = 0
3. In a simple ion, the oxidation number is the same as the charge on the ion.
tdkif;,Gef;wpfck\"mwfwdk;udef;onf ,if;tdkif;,Gef;&Sd vQyfppfyrmeESifYwlnDonf/
e.g., O.N of Cl- = -1, O.N of Ag+ = +1
O.N of Fe2+ = +2, O.N of Al3+ = +3
4. In the compound,
O.N of Alkali metals (Li, Na, K) = +1
O.N of Alkaline earth metals (Be, Mg, Ca) = +2
5. The oxidation number of oxygen in its compounds is -2 (except in O3 and peroxides).
j'yfaygif;wGifyg0ifaom oxygen \ "mwfwdk;udef;onf -2 jzpfonf/
e.g., Fe2O3, K2Cr2O7, MnO4-, ClO3- (O.N of oxygen in each = -2)
H2O2, Na2O2, (O.N of oxygen in each = -1)
6. The oxidation number of hydrogen in its compounds is +1 (except in H 2 and metal hydride, and
ionic hydrides).
j'yfaygif;wGifyg0ifaom hydrogen \ "mwfwdk;udef;onf +1 jzpfonf/
e.g., HCl, H2SO4, (O.N of H in each = +1), NaH, H-, (O.N of H in each = -1)
Calculation of Oxidation Number
1. What are the oxidation numbers for the underlined element in each of the following substances?
(a) PCl3 (b) Cr2O72- (c) HNO3 (d) KClO3 (e) P4 (f) MnO4- (g) N2O (h) NH3
(i) S2O62- (j) NaHCO3
(a) PCl3 (b) Cr2O72- (c) HNO3
P + 3 Cl = 0 2Cr + 7O = -2 H + N + 3O = 0
P + 3 (-1) = 0 2 Cr + 7(-2) = -2 (+1) +N+ 3(-2) = 0
P–3 =0 2 Cr - 14 = -2 N-5=0
P = +3 ♯ Cr = +6 ♯ N = +5 ♯
(d) KClO3 (e) P4 (f) MnO4-
K + Cl + 3 O = 0 4P=0 Mn + 4O = -1
(+1) + Cl + 3 (-2) = 0 P=0♯ Mn + 4(-2) = -1
Cl – 5 = 0 Mn - 8 = -1
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Cl = +5♯ Mn = +7 ♯
(g) N2O (h) NH3 (i) S2O62-
2N+O=0 N + 3H = 0 2 S + 6O = -2
2 N + (-2) = 0 N + 3(+1) = 0 2 S+ 6(-2) = -2
2 N = +2 N +3 = 0 2 S -12 = -2
N = +1♯ N = -3 ♯ S = +5 ♯
(j) NaHCO3
Na + H + C + 3 O = 0
(+1) + (+1) + C + 3 (-2) = 0
C–4=0
C = +4 ♯
Identification of oxidizing agent and reducing agent
1. H2S + Cl2 → S + 2HCl
S2- → S0 + 2 e- (S2- oxidized)
∴ H2S is a reducing agent.
Cl2 + 2e- → 2Cl- (Cl2 reduced)
∴ Cl2 is an oxidizing agent.
2. PbO + C → Pb + CO
Pb2+ + 2 e- → Pb0 (Pb2+ reduced)
∴ PbO is an oxidizing agent.
C0 → C2+ + 2e- (C oxidized)
∴ C is a reducing agent.
3. Fe3+ + Al → Fe + Al3+
Fe3+ + 3 e- → Fe0 (Fe3+ reduced)
∴ Fe3+ is an oxidizing agent.
Al0 → Al3+ + 3e- (Al oxidized)
∴ Al is a reducing agent.
4. 2H2O + Cl2 → O2 + 4HCl
2O2- → O20 + 4 e- (O2- oxidized)
∴ H2O is a reducing agent.
2Cl2 + 4e- → 4Cl- (Cl2 reduced)
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∴ Cl2 is an oxidizing agent.
Balancing oxidation-reduction reactions
"mwfwdk;^avQmUnDrQjcif;awGudknSd&mrSm atmufygenf;vrf;udkoHk;jcif;jzifY
vG,fuljrefqefjyD; trSwfjynfY &edkifrSmjzpfvdkU avYvmyg? avYusifYyg/
Erlemykpmä/ Cr2O72- + I- + H+ → Cr3+ + I2 + H2O
tqifY (1) "mwfwdk;udef;ajymif;vJaomtufwrfudk wGuf,ljyD; ,if;tufwrfudkOD;pGm
nSdyg/ (H+, H2O ESifY OH- wdkYudk avmavmq,f rpOf;pm;ygeSifY/)
(+12+(-2x7))2- -2 +6 0
Cr2O72- + 2I- + H+ → 2Cr3+ + I2 + H2O
tqifY (2) "mwfwdk;udef;ajymif;vJaomtufwrfudk qufoG,fjyD; wdk;^avQmY electron
(e-) udk wGufyg/ (reduced → + e- jzpfjyD; oxidized → - e- jzpfonf/)
+ 6e- (reduced)
+12 +6
Cr2O72- + 2I- + H+ → 2Cr3+ + I2 + H2O
-2 0
-2e- (oxidized)
tqifY (3) wdk;^avQmY electron (e-) udk udef;wefbdk;wpfckjzifYajrSmufí nSdyg/
+ 6e- x 1 (reduced)
+12 +6
Cr2O72- + 2I- + H+ → 2Cr3+ + I2 + H2O
-2 0
-2e-x 3 (oxidized)
tqifY (4)nSdxm;aom e- ajrSmufudef;jzifY oufqdkif&m tufwrf (odkY) tkyfpk
udkajrSmufyg/
Cr2O72- + 6I- + H+ → 2Cr3+ + 3I2 + H2O
tqifY (5) þtqifYwGif H+, H2O ESifY OH- wdkYudkndS&ef O udk ndSjyD;rS H udk
nSdyg/ (tu,fí O r&SdvQif H2O udk aygif;ay;jyD H r&SdvQif H+ udk
aygif;xnfYay;yg/)
Cr2O72- + 6I- + 14H+ → 2Cr3+ + 3I2 + 7H2O
tqifY (6) "mwfjyKnDrQjcif;\wpfzufwpfcsuf&Sd charge udk csdefudkufí tajz
rSef^rrSef ppfaq;yg/
Cr2O72- + 6I- + 14H+ → 2Cr3+ + 3I2 + 7H2O
(-2) + 6 (-1) + 14 (+1) → 2 (+3) + 3 (0) + 7 (0)
+6 → +6
Answer:
+ 6e- x 1 (reduced)
+12 +6
Cr2O72- + 2I- + H+ → 2Cr3+ + I2 + H2O
-2 0
-2e-x 3 (oxidized)
Cr2O72- + 6I- + 14H+ → 2Cr3+ + 3I2 + 7H2O
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erlemykpmätcsdKUudkwGufjyxm;ygw,f/
+ e- x 1 (reduced)
+5 +4
+ - 2+ 3+
1. H + NO3 + Fe → Fe + NO2 + H2O
- e- x 1 (oxidized)
2H+ + NO3- + Fe2+ → Fe3+ + NO2 + H2O
- 2e- x 3 (oxidized)
-2 0
- + 3+
2. H2O2 + Cr2O7 + H → 2Cr + O2 + H2O
+12 +6
+ 6e- x 1 (reduced)
3H2O2 + Cr2O7- + 8H+ → 2Cr3+ + 3O2 + 7H2O
+ 3e- x 2 (reduced)
+7 +4
3. MnO-4 + NO2- + H2O → NO3- + MnO2 + OH-
+3 +5
- 2e- x 3 (oxidized)
2MnO-4 + 3NO2- + H2O → 3NO3- + 2MnO2 + 2OH-
+ 8e- x 1 (reduced)
+6 -2
4. H2SO4 + 2 HI → I2 + H2S + H2O
-2 0
-2e-x 4 (oxidized)
H2SO4 + 8 HI → 4I2 + H2S + 4H2O
+ 5e- x 2 (reduced)
+7 +2
- 2-
5. MnO 4 + S → S + Mn2+
-2 0
-2e-x 5 (oxidized)
2MnO-4 + 5S2- + 16H+ → 5S + 2Mn2+ + 8H2O
+ 1e- x 2 (reduced)
+2 +1
2+ -
6. Cu + 2 I → CuI + I2
-2 0
-2e-x 1 (oxidized)
2Cu2+ + 2 I- → 2CuI + I2
2Cu2+ + 4 I- → 2CuI + I2
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Exercises (Sample / Old questions)
Question No. 1
(1rSwfwefar;cGef;)
Write TRUE or FALSE for each of the following statements.
1. Reduction is the addition of electronegative elements to a substance.
2. Oxidation is the loss of electrons from a substance.
3. Any element which decreases in oxidation number is said to be oxidized.
4. The addition of an electronegative element to a substance is called oxidation.
5. Electrons are transferred from a reducing agent to an oxidizing agent.
6. Electrochemical reaction is a redox reaction.
7. Anions are oxidized at the anode.
8. Oxidation number of element in pure form is one.
9. Oxidation number of hydrogen in hydrogen peroxide is one.
10. Oxidation reaction takes place at the cathode in an electrochemical reaction.
11. The sum of oxidation number in MnO4- must be zero.
12. FeCl2 has been oxidized to FeCl3.
13. Non-metallic elements tend to donate electrons.
14. Electropositive elements may be reducing agents.
Question No. 2
(1rSwfwefar;cGef;)
Fill in the blanks.
1. Oxidation number of chromium in Cr2O72- is ……… .
2. An oxidizing agent is an ……… .
3. Oxidation number of an element in pure form is ……… .
4. When the oxidation number of the element is decreased, it is said to be ……… .
5. A common laboratory oxidizing agent is ……….
6. When the oxidation number of an element is increased, it is said to be ……….
7. A reducing agent is a ………..
Question No. 3
(1rSwfwefar;cGef;)
Select the correct word(s), notation(s), term(s), unit(s), etc given in the brackets.
1. (Reduction, Oxidation, Neutralization) is the gain of electrons.
2. The sum of oxidation numbers in MnO4- is (+1, -1, +7).
3. Oxidation number of oxygen in O3 is (+2, 0, -2).
4. Oxidation number of ionic hydride is taken to be (+1, 0, -1).
5. In K2Cr2O7, oxidation number of Cr is (+2, +3, +6).
6. All elements in the free state have an oxidation number of (+1, 0, -1).
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7. A cathode is a (an) (source of electrons, electron acceptor, electron donor).
8. Oxidation number of chlorine in NaClO is (-1, +1, +5).
9. Oxidation number of magnesium in compounds is (0, 2, +2).
10. A chemical cell reaction is a (an) (catalytic, redox, electron donor) reaction).
11. A electrochemical reaction is a (redox, catalytic, electron transferring) reaction.
12. In the reaction;
Fe(s) + Cl2(g) → S(s) + FeCl2(s)
Fe is a (an) (oxidizing, reducing, neither oxidizing nor reducing) agent.
Question No. 4
(1rSwfwefar;cGef;)
Matching with Answers
(a) reducing agent carbon
(b) oxidizing agent H2SO4 / Cl2
(c) reduction gain of electrons
(d) oxidation loss of electrons
(e) element oxidation number is zero
(f) electropositive element electron donor
(g) electronegative element oxidizing agent
Question No. 5
(1rSwfwefar;cGef;)
Definition
Reducing agent, Oxidizing agent, Redox reactions, Oxidation (in term of electron), Oxidation in
term of oxygen, Reduction in term of oxygen, Reduction in term of electrons, Oxidation in term of
electropositive element, Oxidation in term of hydrogen
Question No. 6
(2rSwfwefar;cGef;)
1. What is the oxidation number for the underlined elements in each of the following substances.
(i) KClO3 (ii) S2O52-
2. Determine the oxidation number of chlorine
(a) HClO4, Cl2, Cu2Cl2, KClO3 (b) NaClO4, KClO2 (c) NaClO, HClO4, NaCl
3. What is the oxidation number of the underlined elements in the following?
(i) PCl3 (ii) N2O
4. Identify the oxidizing agent and reducing agent in the following reaction.
(i) Cu + CuCl2 → 2CuCl
(ii) SO2 + I2 + 2H2O → 2HI + H2SO4
-
(iii) 2Br (aq) + Cl2 (g) → 2Cl- (aq) + Br2 (l)
(iv) 2H2O + 2Br2 → 4HBr + O2
2- +
(v) H2O2 + Cr2O7 + H → Cr3+ + O2 + H2O
(vi) ZnO + C → Zn + CO
(vii) Fe2O3 + 3CO (g) → 2Fe (s) + 3CO2 (g)
(viii) Ca + H2SO4 → CaSO4 + H2
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Question No. 7
(4rSwfwefar;cGef;)
1. What is an oxidizing agent? Give an example of a common oxidizing agent.
2. What is a reducing agent? Give an example of a common reducing agent.
3. Balance the following equations.
(i) H2O2 + Cr2O72- + H+ → Cr3+ + O2 + H2O
(ii) K2Cr2O7 + HI + HClO4 → KClO4 + Cr(ClO4)3 + I2 + H2O
2- +
(iii) Cr2O7 + H + SO2 → Cr3+ + SO42- + H2O
(iv) MnO4- + S2- → Mn2+ + S
(v) H2S + KMnO4 + H2SO4 → MnSO4 + K2SO4 + H2O + S
2+
(vi) Fe + Cl2 → Fe3+ + Cl-
(vii) CuO + H2 → Cu + H2O
(viii) H2O + Cl2 → HCl + O2
- - +
(ix) BrO3 + I + H → Br- + I2 + H2O
(x) Fe2O3 + CO → Fe + CO2
(xi) H2S + SO2 → S + H2O
(xii) Cl2 + NaOH → NaCl + NaClO3 + H2O
(xiii) KI + HCl + H2O2 → I2 + KCl + H2O
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