Oxidation-Reduction

Reactions (RedOx)
Redox reactions
Oxidation-reduction reactions are those that involve a movement of
electron or electrons from one particle to another. Movement of
electrons can be a complete transfer, such as in the formation of some
ions, or a partial transfer due to rearrangements in the formation of new
covalent bonds. When electrons transfer, there should be atoms that
would give away electrons, and atoms that would accept the electrons.
Redox reactions are therefore made up of two half-processes that occur
together: the losing of electrons or oxidation, and the gaining of
electrons or reduction.
Oxidizing agents and Reducing agents
An oxidizing agent is the reactant in a redox reaction that causes oxidation of
another reactant by accepting electrons from it. This acceptance if electrons means
that the oxidizing agent itself is reduced. Similarly, a reducing agent is the reactant
in the redox reaction that causes reduction of another reactant by providing
electrons for the other reactant to accept. Thus, the reducing agent and the
substance oxidized are one and the same.

Substance oxidized = reducing agent

Substance reduced = oxidizing agent
 reduced (oxidizing agent)
Zn + 2H+ → Zn2+ + H2
oxidized (reducing agent)
Sample

2Al + 3Cu2+→2Al3+ +3Cu

CO32- + 2H+→ CO2 + H2O

Balancing Redox Equations by the Change in
Oxidation Number Method
• The oxidation number of a free element is always 0.
• The oxidation number of a monatomic ion equals the charge of the ion.
• The oxidation number of H is +1, but it is -1 in when combined with less
electronegative elements.
• The oxidation number of O in compounds is usually -2, but it is -1 in peroxides.
• The oxidation number of a Group 1 element in a compound is +1.
• The oxidation number of a Group 2 element in a compound is +2.
• The oxidation number of a Group 17 element in a binary compound is -1.
• The sum of the oxidation numbers of all of the atoms in a neutral compound is 0.
• The sum of the oxidation numbers in a polyatomic ion is equal to the charge of the ion.
 Fe2O3(s)+CO(g)→Fe(s)+CO2(g)

SiO2(s) + C(s)  Si(s) + CO(g)

S2O3 2- (aq) + I2 (aq)  S4O62- (aq) + I- (aq)

Balancing redox using half reaction

SiO2(s) + C(s)  Si(s) + CO(g)

MnO2(s) + Cl-(aq)  Mn2+(aq) + Cl2(g)