CHAPTER 3

Oxidation
and
Reduction

(A) Redox Reactions, RR

After this lesson, you should be able to:

State what oxidation is

State what reduction is

Explain what redox reaction is

State what oxidizing agent is

State what reducing agent is

Calculate the oxidation number of an element in a

compound

Relate the oxidation number of an element to the name of its

compound using the IUPAC nomenclature

Explain with examples oxidation and reduction processes in

terms of the change in oxidation number

Explain with examples oxidation and reduction processes in

terms of electron transfer

Explain with examples oxidizing agents and reducing agents

in redox reactions

Write oxidation and reduction half-equations and ionic

equations.

What is Redox Reaction?

Redox reaction are chemical
reactions involving oxidation
and reduction occurring
simultaneously.

Explanation of
Redox Reaction, RR
Redox reactions can be explained in term of:
Loss or gain of oxygen
Loss or gain of hydrogen
Transfer of electrons
Changes in oxidation number
4

Explanation of RR based on

Loss or Gain of Oxygen

Oxidation is a chemical reaction in which oxygen
is added to a substance
Reduction is defined as the loss of oxygen from a
substance
The substance that causes oxidation is called
oxidizing agent (oxidant)
The substance that causes reduction is called the
reducing agent (reductant)

Example 1:
2CuO(s)

Gains oxygen
(oxidation)

C(s)

2Cu(s)

CO2(g)

Loses oxygen
(reduction)

CuO is reduced to Cu
C is oxidized to CO2
CuO acts as oxidizing agent (oxidant)
C acts as reducing agent (reductant)
6

Explanation of RR based on

Loss or Gain of Hydrogen

Oxidation is the loss of hydrogen from a
substance
Reduction is the gain of hydrogen from a
substance

Example 2:
H2S(g)

Gains hydrogen
(reduction)

Cl2 (g)

S(s)

2HCl(g)

Loses hydrogen
(oxidation)

H2S is oxidized to S

Cl2 is reduced to HCl

Cl2 acts as oxidizing agent (oxidant)

H2S acts as reducing agent (reductant)

Practice A1:
Study the following equations and identify the
oxidized substances, reduced substances, oxidant
and reductant.
a)2HBr(aq) + Cl2(l) 2HCl(aq) + Br2(l)
b)Mg(s) + PbO(s) MgO(s) + Pb(s)
c)CH4(g) + Cl2(g) CH3Cl(g) + HCl(g)
d)Fe3O4(s) + 4CO(g) 3Fe(s) + 4CO2(g)
e)PbS(s) + 4H2O2(aq) PbSO4(s) + 4H2O(l)
9

Explanation of RR based on

Transfer of Electrons
Oxidation is the loss of electrons
Reduction is the gain of electrons
Oxidizing Agent is electron acceptors
Reducing Agent is electron donors

10

Gains electron
(reduction)

Example 3:
Zn(s)

Cu2+ (s)

Zn2+ (aq)

+ Cu(s)

Loses electron
(oxidation)

Loss e-

Zn(s)

Zn2+ (aq) + 2e-

Gain e-

Cu2+ (aq) + 2e-

Cu(s)

------------------------------------------------------------Zn(s) + Cu2+ (s) + 2e- Zn2+ (aq) + Cu(s) + 2e---------------------------------------------------------------------Ionic Eq. Zn(s)
+ Cu2+ (s) Zn2+ (aq) + Cu(s)
=========================================
11

Practice A2:
Study the following redox reactions
a) Cu(s) + 2Ag+(aq) Cu2+ (aq) + 2Ag(s)
b) Cl2(g) + 2Br(aq) 2Cl(aq) + Br2(l)
c) Ca(s) + 2HCl(aq) CaCl2(aq) + H2(g)
d) 2Na(s) + Cl2(g) 2NaCl(s)
e) 2Fe2+(aq) + Br2(aq) 2Fe3+(aq) + 2Br(aq)
For each of the above reaction above,
i)
Write the half equations
ii) Identify the

Oxidized substance
Reduced substance
Oxidizing agent
Reducing agent based on the transfer of electrons

12

What is an Oxidation Number?

The oxidation number or oxidation
state of an element is the charge that
the atom of the element would have if
complete transfer of electron occurs.

13

Rules in assigning Oxidation Number

Rule 1:
The oxidation number of an atom in its
elemental state is zero.
For example:
The oxidation number of each atom in
Mg, Cu, Na, H2, O2, Cl2 and P4 is zero.
14

Rules in assigning Oxidation

Number
Rule 2:
The oxidation number of monoatomic ion is equal
to its charge
For example:
Ion
Oxidation
Number

Na+

Mg2+

Al3+

Br

S2

N3

+1

+2

+3

15

Rules in assigning Oxidation Number

Rule 3:
The oxidation number of hydrogen in a compound
is always +1 except in metal hydrides, where it is 1.
For example:
The oxidation number of H in H2O and NH3 is +1.
However, the oxidation number of H in sodium
hydride, NaH is 1
16

Rules in assigning Oxidation Number

Rule 4:
The oxidation number of oxygen in a
compound is always 2 except in peroxides.
For example:
The oxidation number of O in H2O and MgO
is 2 . However, the oxidation number of O in
hydrogen peroxide, H2O2 is 1
17

Rules in assigning Oxidation Number

Rule 5:
The oxidation number of fluorine in all its
compound is 1.
The oxidation number of other halogens
(Cl, Br, I) in their compounds is 1 except
when they combine with more electronegative
elements such as oxygen or nitrogen.
18

Rules in assigning Oxidation Number

Rule 6:
The sum of the oxidation numbers of all the
elements in the formula of a compound must
be zero.
The sum of the oxidation numbers of all the
elements in the formula of a polyatomic ion
must be equal to the charge of the ion.
19

Calculation of Oxidation Number, ON

Example 1:
Determine the oxidation number of nitrogen in NH3.

NH3
x

+1

Assume that the oxidation number of nitrogen is X

The ON of H in NH3 is +1 (rule 3)
The sum of ON of all atoms = 0 (rule 6)
Thus ,
x + 3(+1) = 0
x+3=0
x = 3

20

Calculation of Oxidation Number, ON

Example 2:
Determine the oxidation number of copper in Cu2O

Cu2O
x

Assume that the oxidation number of copper is X

The ON of O in Cu2O is 2 (rule 4)
The sum of ON of all atoms = 0
Thus ,
2x + (2) = 0
2x 2 = 0
x = +1

(rule 6)

21

Calculation of Oxidation Number, ON

Example 3:
Determine the oxidation number of sulphur in SO42

SO4 2
x

Assume that the oxidation number of sulphur is X

The ON of O in SO42 is 2 (rule 4)
The sum of ON of all atoms = 2
Thus ,
x + 4(2) = 2
x 8 = 2
x = +6

(rule 6)

22

Calculation of Oxidation Number, ON

Example 4:
Determine the oxidation number of manganese in
MnO4
MnO4

Assume that the oxidation number of manganese is X

The ON of O in MnO4 is 2 (rule 4)
The sum of ON of all atoms = 1 (rule 6)
Thus ,
x + 4(2) = 1
x 8 = 1
x = +7

23

Practice A3:
Determine the oxidation number of the underlined
elements in the following compound
a) CO2
b)MgF2
c) H3PO4
d) V2O5
e) CO

f) NH4+

g) SO3

h) ClO4-

i)

j) H2O2

k) S2O32

l) CrO42

m) Cr2O72 n) Al2O3

o) BrO3

p)VO2

N2O

q) PbO22 r) NO3 s) NO2

u) HCl

v) HClO

t) CO32

w) HClO2

x)ClO2

y) HClO3 z)HClO4
24

Oxidation Number and IUPAC Nomenclature

Formula of Compound

Oxidation Number of
Underlined Metal

IUPAC name

FeCl2

+2

Iron(II) chloride

FeCl3

+3

Iron(III) chloride

CuCl

+1

Copper(I) chloride

CuSO4

+2

Copper(II) sulphate

Mn(NO3)2

+2

Manganese(II) nitrate

MnO2

+4

Manganese(IV) oxide

K4Fe(CN)6

+2

Potassium
hexacyanoferrate (II)

K3Fe(CN)6

+3

Potassium
25
hexacyanoferrate (III)

Common Names and IUPAC Names for some compound

Molecular
Formula

ON of
metal

Common Name

IUPAC name

Na2SO3

+4

Sodium sulphite

Sodium sulphate(IV)

Na2SO4

+6

Sodium sulphate

Sodium sulphate(VI)

NaNO2

+3

Sodium nitrite

Sodium nitrate(III)

NaNO3

+5

Sodium nitrate

Sodium nitrate(V)

HNO2

+3

Nitrous acid

Nitric(III) acid

HNO3

+5

Nitric acid

Nitric (V) acid

H2SO4

+6

Sulphuric acid

Sulphuric (VI) acid

26

Explanation of RR based on
The Changes in Oxidation Number
An increase in oxidation number
indicates Oxidation
A decrease in oxidation number
indicates Reduction

27

Decrease in
oxidation number

Example 4:
2Mg(s)
Oxidation
Number

O2 (s)

2MgO(s)

+2

Increase in
oxidation number

decrease in
Oxidation
Number

(Reduction)

O2

O2-

+2

Mg2+

Mg

Increase in
Oxidation
Number

(Oxidation)

-2

28

Explanation
The oxidation number of Magnesium
increases from 0 to +2.
Magnesium undergoes oxidation to
magnesium ion
The oxidation number of Oxygen decrease
from 0 to 2
Oxygen undergoes reduction to oxide ion
Magnesium acts as reducing agent
Oxygen acts as oxidizing agent
29

Practice A4
a)
b)
c)
d)

2H2 + O2 2H2O
2Na + Br2 2NaBr
Pb + 2Ag+ Pb2+ + 2Ag
Zn + 2HCl ZnCl2 + H2

Explain the above redox reactions based on the changes

in oxidation number. Your explanation should
includes:
i) oxidized and reduced substance in each reaction.
Give reason for your answer.
ii) oxidizing agent and reducing agent in each
reaction. State what happens to them

30

Summary on the Definition of

Oxidation and Reduction
Oxidation

Reduction

Gain of Oxygen

Loss of Oxygen

Loss of Hydrogen

Gain of Hydrogen

Loss of Electrons

Gain of Electron

Increase in Oxidation
Number

Decrease in Oxidation
Number
31

Examples of Redox Reaction

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Combustion
Extraction of Metals
Corrosion of Metals
Electrochemistry ( Reaction happen in
Electrolytic Cell and Voltaic Cell)
Change of Fe2+ to Fe3+ and vice versa
Displacement of Metal from its salt solution
Displacement of halogen from its halide solution
Transfer of electrons at a distance
32

Examples of Non Redox Reaction

Neutralization
Precipitation Reaction

33

Change of Fe2+ to Fe3+ & vice versa

Iron metal (Fe) exhibits two oxidation numbers,
i.e. +2 and +3
Fe2+ ion can be easily converted into Fe3+ ion.
Fe3+ ion can also be easily converted into Fe2+ ion.
Loss of
electron

Fe

2+

oxidation

Fe3+

Gain of
electron
reduction

34

Oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+

Procedure:
1. Pour 2cm3 of freshly prepared iron(II) sulphate,
FeSO4 solution into a test tube.
2. Using a dropper, add bromine water drop by
drop until no further changes are observed.
3. Warm the test tube gently
4. Add NaOH solution slowly into the test tube
until it excess.
5. Record the observation.
35

Oxidation of Fe to Fe
2+

Solution Used

FeSO4
+
Br2

3+

Observations

Reddish brown bromine water was

decolourized.
Green FeSO4 solution turn brown.
When NaOH solution was added, a brown
precipitate formed.
The precipitate is insoluble in excess
NaOH

36

Oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+

Half Equation:

Oxidation

Reduction

Fe2+ (aq) Fe3+(aq) + eBr2(aq) + 2e- 2Br(aq)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ionic Equation :

2Fe2+ (aq) + Br2 (aq) 2Fe3+(aq) + 2Br (aq)

===========================================================

37

Reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+

Procedure:
1. Pour 2cm3 of iron(III) sulphate, Fe2(SO4)3
solution into a test tube.
2. Add half a spatula of zinc powder to the
solution. Shake the mixture until no further
changes are observed.
3. Filter the mixture.
4. Add NaOH solution slowly into the filtrate until
in excess.
5. Record the observation.
38

Reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+

Solution Used

Fe2(SO4)3
+
Zn

Observations

Part of Zn powder dissolved.

Brown Fe2(SO4)3 solution turn green. When
NaOH solution was added to the filtrate, a
green precipitate was formed.
The precipitate is insoluble in water.

39

Reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+

Half Equation:
Oxidation
:
Zn(s) Zn2+ (aq) + 2eReduction
:
Fe3+ (aq) + e- Fe2+(aq)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------Ionic Equation :
Zn(s) + 2Fe3+ (aq) Zn2+ (aq) + 2Fe2+(aq)
============================================
40

Displacement of Metals
A metal displacement reaction involves a metal
and the salt solution of another metal.
Displacement Reaction took place if any of these
observation is obtained:
a deposition of solid occurs at the bottom of the test
tube.
a change in colour of the salt solution
a decrease in the amount or size of the metal used
Test tube becomes hotter
41

Displacement of Metals
A more electropositive
metal can displace a less
electropositive metal from
its aqueous salt solution.
A less electropositive
metal cannot displace a
more electropositive metal
from its aqueous salt
solution

42

Displacement of Metals
K
Na

More
electropositive

Ca
Mg
Al

A more electropositive
metal is located at higher
position in the
electrochemical series, ES.

Zn
Fe
Sn
Pb
Cu
Hg
Ag

Less
electropositive

A less electropositive metal

is located at lower position
in the electrochemical
series, ES.
43

Displacement of Metals

Examples:

Fe(s) + CuSO4(aq) Cu(s) + FeSO4(aq)

Cu(s) + 2AgNO3(aq) 2Ag(s) + Cu(NO3)2(aq)
Mg(s) + FeSO4(aq) Fe(s) + MgSO4(aq)
Cu(s) + FeSO4(aq) No reaction
Zn(s) + MgSO4(aq) No reaction

44

Displacement of Metals

Zinc displaces copper metal from copper(II) sulphate solution

Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq) Cu(s) + ZnSO4(aq)
Half Equation: Zn(s) Zn2+(aq) + 2e- (Oxidation)
Cu2+(aq) + 2e- Cu(s)
(Reduction)
Overall ionic equation:
Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) Cu(s) + Zn2+ (aq)

45

Displacement of Metals
Observation:
(a) Brown copper metal deposited
(b) The colour of the solution changes from
blue to colourless.
(c) The temperature of the mixture increases.
( all displacement reaction are exothermic)

46

Displacement of Halogen
A more reactive halogen can displace a less
reactive halogen from its aqueous halide salt
solution.
A less reactive halogen cannot displace a more
reactive halogen from its aqueous halide salt
solution.
Cl,
More reactive

Br,

I
Less reactive

47

Colour of halogen
Halogen

Colour in
Colour in
aqueous solution 1,1,1-trichlorethane

Chlorine

Pale yellow

Colourless

Bromine

Brown

Brown

Iodine

Brown

Purple

48

Displacement of halogen

Procedure:
1. 1cm3 of aqueous potassium iodide solution, 1cm3 of
bromine water and 1cm3 of 1,1,1-trichloroethane are added
into a test tube, labelled A. The mixture is shaken.
2. Step 1 is repeated by adding 1cm3 of aqueous potassium
bromide solution, 1cm3 of chlorine water and 1cm3 of
1,1,1-trichloroethane are added into a test tube, labelled B.
The mixture is shaken.
49

Displacement of halogen
Result:
Test tube

Colour of
CH3CCl3

Inference

Purple

Iodine
displaced

Brown

Bromine
displaced

50

Discussion
Test Tube A
Cl2(aq) + 2KBr(aq) Br2(aq) + 2KCl(aq)
Cl2(aq) + 2Br (aq) Br2(aq) + 2Cl (aq)
ON : 0

Bromine, Br2 dissolves in CH3CCl3 to give a brown colour

Chlorine, Cl2 is reduced. Reducing agent are the Br ions.
Bromide ions are oxidized. Oxidizing agent is Cl2.

51

Discussion
Test Tube B
Br2(aq) + 2KI(aq) I2(aq) + 2KBr(aq)
Br2(aq) + 2I (aq) I2(aq) + 2Br (aq)
ON : 0

Iodine, I2 dissolves in CH3CCl3 to give a purple colour

Bromine, Br2 is reduced. Reducing agent are the I ions.
Iodide ions are oxidized. Oxidizing agent is Br2.

52

Transfer of Electron at a Distance I

Dilute sulphuric acid

At electrode X
Iodide ions lose electron and are oxidized to brown iodine.
2I (aq) I2(aq) + 2eON:

-1

(oxidation)
53

The colour of the solution changes from colourless to brown.

The e- released by the iodide ion flow from electrode X to
electrode Y along the connecting wires.
At electrode Y
The bromine molecules surrounding the electrode Y accept
the e- and are reduced to bromide ions.
Br2(aq) + 2e- 2Br(aq)
ON:
0
-1
(Reduction)
The colour of the solution changes from brown to colourless.
Overall ionic equation:
Br2(aq) + 2I(aq) 2Br(aq) + I2(aq)
oxidant

reductant

54

Transfer of Electron at a Distance II

Dilute sulphuric acid

At electrode X
Each Iron(II) ion loses an electron and is oxidized to brown
iron(III) ion.

Fe2+ (aq) Fe3+ (aq) + e ON:

+2
+3
(oxidation)

55

The colour of the solution changes from green to brown.

The e- released by the iron(II) ion flow from electrode X to
electrode Y along the connecting wires.
At electrode Y
The bromine molecules surrounding the electrode Y accept
the e- and are reduced to bromide ions.
Br2(aq) + 2e- 2Br(aq)
ON:
0
-1
(Reduction)
The colour of the solution changes from brown to colourless.
Overall ionic equation:
Br2(aq) + Fe2+ (aq) 2Br(aq) + Fe3+ (aq)
oxidant

reductant

56

Transfer of Electron at a Distance III

X

At electrode X
Each Iron(II) ion loses an electron and is oxidized to brown
iron(III) ion.

Fe2+ (aq) Fe3+ (aq) + e ON:

+2
+3
(oxidation)

57

The colour of the solution changes from green to yellow/

brown.
The e- released by the iron(II) ion flow from electrode X to
electrode Y along the connecting wires.
At electrode Y
The manganate(VII) ion, MnO4 gathered at the electrode Y
accept the e- and are reduced to manganese(II) ion, Mn2+.
MnO4 (aq) + 8H+ (aq) + 5e- Mn2+ (aq) + 4H2O(l)
ON:

+7

+2 (Reduction)

The colour of the solution changes from purple to colourless.

58

Overall ionic equation:

anode
cathode

5[Fe2+ (aq) Fe3+ (aq) + e-]

MnO4 (aq) + 8H+ (aq) + 5e- Mn2+ (aq) + 4H2O(l)

5Fe2+ (aq) + MnO4 (aq) + 8H+ (aq) 5Fe3+ (aq)+ Mn2+ (aq) + 4H2O(l)

Substance oxidized
Substance reduced

:
:

iron(II) ion, Fe2+

manganese(VII) ion, MnO4

Oxidizing agent

manganese(VII) ion, MnO4

Reducing agent

iron(II) ion, Fe2+

59

Practice A5
A

K2Cr2O7 (aq)
+

FeSO4(aq)

H2SO4(aq)
H2SO4(aq)

The figure above shows an experiment on the transfer of electron at a

distance
a) Identify the
i) oxidizing agent
ii) reducing agent
iii) positive electrode
iv) negative electrode
b) Explain the changes at the
i) negative electrode
ii) positive electrode

60