Redox Reactions:
chapter 8
• Oxidation: the addition of oxygen or any other electronegative
element or removal of hydrogen or any other electropositive
element.
• C+O2 → CO2
• 2Mg + O2→ 2MgO
• Zn+ S → ZnS
• Mg + Cl2 → MgCl2
• 2H2S +O2 → 2H2O +2S
• MnO2 + 4HCl → MnCl2 + Cl2 + 2H2O
• 2KI + Cl2 → 2KCl +I2
• Reduction: The addition of hydrogen or any other electropositive
element or removal of oxygen or any other electronegative element.
• Cl2+ H2 → 2HCl
• 2FeCl3 +Fe → 3FeCl2
• 2HgO → 2Hg + O2
• SiCl4 + 4Na → Si+ 4NaCl
Electronic concept of Oxidation and Reduction
• Oxidation: A process which involves loss of electrons by an atom or
group of atoms.
• Reducing Agent / Reductant: It is a substance which can give one or
more electrons.
• Reduction : A process which involves gain of electrons by an atom or
group of atoms.
• Oxidising Agent/Oxidant : It is a substance which can accept one or
more electrons.
oxidation
•Na → Na+ +e -
•Mg → 2+
Mg + 2e -
•MnO42- → MnO4 - +e -
•2Cl - →Cl2 +2e -
•Loss of Electrons
•Increase in positive charge
•Decrease in negative charge
Reduction
• 3+
Fe +e- → Fe2+
•Sn4+ + 2e- → Sn2+
•Cl2 + 2e- → 2Cl-
•MnO4- + e- → MnO42-
•Gain of Electrons
•Decrease of positive charge
•Increase of negative charge
• Oxidation and Reduction reactions are collectively called Redox
Reactions.
Oxidation
2H2 + O2 → 2H2O
Reduction
H2 ---- Reducing Agent /Reductant
O2 ----Oxidising Agent/Oxidant
oxidation
Fe2O3 + 2Al → Al2O3 + 2Fe
Reduction
Fe2O3 ---- Oxidising Agent
Al -------- Reducing agent
oxidation
H2S+ Cl2 → 2HCl + S
Reduction
• H2S --- Reducing agent
• Cl2 ---- Oxidant
Oxidation
MnO2 + 4HCl → MnCl2 + Cl2 + H2O
Reduction
• MnO2 ---- Oxidant
• HCl -----Reductant
1. Identify the species undergoing oxidation and reduction in the
following reaction:
A) H2S +Cl2 → 2HCl + S
B) 3Fe3O4 + 8Al → 9Fe + 4Al2O3
C) 2Na + H2 → 2NaH
2. Identify the oxidant and reductant in the following reactions:
a) CH4 + 4Cl2 → CCl4 + 4HCl
b) Zn + 2H+ → Zn2+ + H2
Electron Transfer Reactions:
•Zn + Cu 2+ → Zn2+ + Cu
•Cu + 2Ag + → 2Ag + Cu2+
•Co + Ni 2+ → Co2+ + Ni
Oxidation Number
• The charge which an atom of the element has in its ion or appears to
have when present in the combined state with other atoms.
• Rules:
1. The oxidation number of an element in the free or elementary state
or any of its allotropic forms is always zero.
2. The oxidation number of an element in a single ion is the same as
the charge on the ion .
3. In binary compounds of metal and non metal, the oxidation number
of metal is always positive while that of the non metal is negative.
4. In compounds formed by the combination of non metallic atoms, the
atom with higher electronegativity is given negative oxidation
number.
5. In all compounds of Hydrogen , the oxidation number of Hydrogen is +1
except in hydrides of active metals such as LiH, NaH, KH, MgH2 ( the
hydrogen is -1)
6. The oxidation number of oxygen is -2 in most of the compounds. Except
for peroxides and superoxides.
7. The most electronegative element , Fluorine has oxidation number is -1.
Iodine( -1 ) Exceptions for Iodine ; IF5 and IF7 → +5,+7
8. For a neutral molecule, the sum of the oxidation numbers of all the
atoms is zero .
For polyatomic ion , The sum of the oxidation numbers of all the atoms is
equal to the charge on the ion.
•H2S
•H2SO3
•SO4 2-
•Na2S2O3
•S2O7 2-