Metal Redox Reactions

Using a metal to extract a less

reactive metal

Single Replacement Reactions

What happens when you place aluminum
metal into a copper (II) chloride solution?
Al(s) +

CuCl2(aq)

Cu(s) +

AlCl3(aq)

Make sure you balance the equation!

Why does this reaction happen?
Aluminum is more reactive than copper so it can
replace copper in the solution.

Lets look at the reaction in detail

The overall equation:
2Al (s) +

3Cu Cl 2(aq)

3Cu (s) +

2Al Cl 3(aq)

The equation re-written to show the oxidation

states:
2Al0(s) + 3Cu2+Cl-2(aq) 3Cu0(s) + 2Al3+Cl- 3(aq)
Which ion is not changing?
Spectator ion- does not participate in the reaction
So whats really reacting?
2Al0(s) + 3Cu2+(aq) 3Cu0(s) + 2Al3+(aq)

2Al0(s) + 3Cu2+(aq)

3Cu0(s) +

2Al3+(aq)

This is called a net ionic equation

We can further show the reactions as Half Reactions
2Al0(s) 2Al3+(aq) + 6e 6e- + 3Cu2+(aq) 3Cu0(s)

Oxidation
Reduction

This single replacement reaction is actually a Redox

or oxidation reduction reaction. (OiL RiG)
OiL Oxidation is Losing electrons
RiG Reduction is Gaining electrons

So what does that mean?

Aluminium is more reactive because it can
force the copper (II) ion to gain its electrons.
Some metals are more reactive than others.
Lets try a few more reactions.
First balance the reaction; record the
oxidation numbers; remove the spectator ion,
and finally write the half reactions.

Practice problems
1. Al(s) +

Zn(NO3)2(aq) Zn(s) +
Nitrate = NO3-

2. Zn(s) +

PbSO4(aq) Pb(s) +
Sulfate = SO42-

Al(NO3)3(aq)

ZnSO4(aq)

Practice problems answers

1. Al(s) + Zn(NO3)2(aq) Zn(s) + Al(NO3)3(aq)
Net Ionic
Al(s) + Zn2+(aq) Zn(s) + Al3+(s)
Half Reactions Zn2+(aq) + 2e- Zn0(s)
Al0(s)
Al3+(s) + 3e2. Zn(s) + PbSO4(aq) Pb(s) + ZnSO4(aq)
Net ionic :
Zn0(s) + Pb2+ Pb(s) + Zn2+
Half Reactions Pb2+(aq) + 2e- Pb0(s)
Zn0(s)
Zn2+(s) + 2e-