REDOX

REACTIONS
 OXIDATION
A process in which a
substance loses one or
more electrons
 REDUCTION
A process in which a
substance gains one or
more electrons
 OIL RIG
Oxidation Is Losing electrons
Reduction Is Gaining electrons
 Oxidation and
reduction always
occur together!
OXIDATION-REDUCTION
RXNS
Reactions in which
electrons are
transferred between
reactants
(bka Redox Reactions)
The key to
Redox is
Oxidation
Number!
OXIDATION NUMBERS
A way of
tracking
electrons in
redox reactions
Assigning
Oxidation
Numbers
(6 rules)
 Rule 1
The oxidation # of an
atom by itself is zero.
 Rule 2
The oxidation # of any
monatomic ion is
equal to its charge.
 Rule 3
The oxidation # of
elements in a
compound are written
per atom.
 Rule 4
The sum of the
oxidation #s in a
compound is zero.
 Rule 5
The sum of the
oxidation #s in a
polyatomic ion is
equal to the ion’s
charge.
 Rule 6
Oxidation #s to
remember:
•Elements in Group 1A: always +1
•Elements in Group 2A: always +2
•Aluminum: always +3
 Rule 6
Oxidation #s to
remember:
•Fluorine: always -1
•Hydrogen: usually +1
•Oxygen: usually -2
 Remember:
Oxidation #s are not
charges!
(they are just a way
to track electrons)
Another Definition
Oxidation:
when the
oxidation #
increases
Another Definition
Reduction:
when the
oxidation #
decreases
Remember that
oxidation and
reduction occur
together…
 Oxidizing Agent
• Causes oxidation
• Is itself reduced
 Reducing Agent
• Causes reduction
• Is itself oxidized