CHAPTER 7 - REDOX REACTIONS
OXIDATION REDUCTION
Addition of Oxygen Removal of Oxygen
Removal of Hydrogen Addition of Hydrogen
Loss of electrons Gain of electrons
Increase in oxidation number Decrease in oxidation number
OXIDISING AGENT
• A substance which oxidizes the other substance and itself getting reduced.
REDUCING AGENT
• A substance which reduces the other substance and itself getting oxidised.
Example
• Co is oxidized, Ni2+ is reduced, Co is the reducing agent, Ni2+ is the oxidizing
agent.
STOCK NOTATION
• The oxidation number is expressed by putting a Roman numeral in parenthesis
after the symbol of the metal in the molecular formula.
Example
COMPOUND STOCK NOTATION
HAuCl4 HAu(III)Cl4
Tl2O Tl2(I)O
Fe2O3 Fe2(III)O3
TYPES OF REDOX REACTIONS
Combination reactions
• Two or more reactants combine to give a single product.
C is oxidised and O2 is reduced.
Decomposition reactions
• Decomposition reactions are the opposite of combination reactions.
• A single reactant decomposes to give two or more products.
H in NaH is oxidised and Na in NaH is reduced.
Page 1 of 4
Displacement reactions
(a) Metal displacement
➢ Metal in a compound can be displaced by a more reactive metal in the uncombined
state.
(b) Non-metal displacement
➢ The non-metal displacement redox reactions include hydrogen displacement.
Disproportionation reactions
• A reaction in which the same element undergoes oxidation and reduction
simultaneously.
➢ Oxygen is oxidized and reduced.
2NaOH + Cl2 → NaCl NaClO + H2O (Chlorine is oxidized and reduced)
BALANCING OF REDOX REACTIONS
ACID MEDIUM
Step 1 Step 4
Divide the given equation into two halves. Balance hydrogen by adding H+ ions.
Step 2 Step 5
Balance all the atoms other than oxygen and Balance the charge by adding electrons in
hydrogen. the more positive side.
Step 3 Step 6
Balance oxygen by adding H2O molecules. Make the electrons equal in both half
equations by finding LCM and add them.
BASIC MEDIUM
Step 1 Step 4
Divide the given equation into two halves. Balance hydrogen by adding H+ ions.
Step 2 Step 5
Balance all the atoms other than oxygen and Add equal number of OH- as that of H+ on
hydrogen. both sides to convert H+ into H2O.
Step 3 Step 6
Balance oxygen by adding H2O molecules. Balance the charge by adding electrons in the
more positive side. Make the electrons equal
in both half equations and add them.
Page 2 of 4
IMPORTANT OXIDATION STATES OF CATIONS
+1 +2 +3 Variable
H+ Mg2+ Al3+ Cu+, Cu2+
Li+ Ca2+ Fe2+, Fe3+
Na+ Sr2+ Sn2+, Sn4+
K+ Ba2+ Cr - +2 to +6
NH4+ Zn2+ Mn - +2 to +7
Ag+ Co2+
Ni2+
Pb2+
IMPORTANT OXIDATION STATES OF ANIONS
-1 -2 -3
H- O2- PO33-
F- S2- PO43-
Cl- CO32-
Br- SO32-
I- SO42-
NO2-, NO3-, OH-, HCO3-, HSO4-
REDOX REACTIONS AND ELECTRODE PROCESSES
The set-up for Daniell cell
➢ Device used for the production of electricity from energy released during
spontaneous chemical reaction is called Galvanic cell or voltaic cell or
Electrochemical cell.
Page 3 of 4
➢ A redox couple is defined as having together the oxidised and reduced forms of a
substance taking part in an oxidation or reduction half reaction.
➢ The half reactions occur in Daniell cell are:
Cu2+ + 2e- → Cu(s) (Reduction half reaction - CATHODE)
Zn(s) → Zn + 2e2+ -
(Oxidation half reaction - ANODE)
➢ Copper electrode is called the reduction half-cell and zinc electrode is called the
oxidation half-cell.
❖ The potential associated with each electrode is known as electrode potential. When
concentrations of all the species involved in a half cell is unity, then the electrode
potential is known as standard electrode potential (Eθ).
➢ A negative E0 means that the redox couple is a stronger reducing agent than the
H+ /H2 couple.
➢ Eθcell = Eθcathode – Eθanode
➢ A reaction is feasible if Eθcell is positive.
Cell representation
❖ Cell reaction of Daniell cell is Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cu(s).
Half-cell reactions are:
Cu2+ + 2e- → Cu(s) Cathode (Reduction half reaction)
Zn(s) → Zn2+ + 2e- Anode (Oxidation half reaction)
❖ The cell can be represented as
Zn(s) │ Zn2+ (aq) ║ Cu2+(aq) │Cu(s)
Functions of Salt Bridge
i) It allows the flow of current by completing the circuit.
ii) It maintains electrical neutrality.
Page 4 of 4