Redox Reactions

Reduction and Oxidation

Learning Intentions:
•To understand the concept of oxidation and reduction in
chemical equations
•To understand the difference between overall and half
equations

Success Criteria:
•I can identify an element undergoing oxidation and reduction
•I can write balanced half and overall equations
 Common Redox Reactions and Uses

Combustion of fuels Corrosion Extraction of metal from ores

Batteries
Photosynthesis/Cellular respiration
 Understanding Redox at the
Macroscopic Level
• The macroscopic scale is where things can be seen with the naked
eye.
• What can you see when a redox reaction takes place?
You might see:
- Metal deposits
- Change in colour of solution (e.g.
copper sulfate turning less blue)
- Bubbles in redox reactions where

gases are involved (e.g. O2 and

H2).
 What is a redox reaction?
A redox reaction (or reduction-oxidation reaction) is when there
is a transfer of electrons between two chemicals.

It is a paired reaction, in which an oxidation and reduction

reaction occur simultaneously.

Oxidation is Loss (of e-) Reduction is Gain (of

e-)

OIL RIG
How are Oxidation and Reduction Defined?
ADDITION/LOSS OF ELECTRONS

Oxidation is now defined as the “loss of electron(s)” and reduction as the

“gain of electron(s)”. This improved definition covers all redox reactions.

E.g. Mg + Cu2+  Mg2+ +

Cu
- Mg has lost electrons, so

has been oxidized.

- Cu2+ has gained electrons,

so has been reduced.

 You try…
Reaction Oxidation or
reduction?
Cl2 + 2e- → 2Cl-
Fe → Fe2+ + 2e-
Pb2+ + 2e- → Pb
H2 → 2H+ + 2e-
Ag → Ag+ + e-
 You try…
Reaction Oxidation or
reduction?
Cl2 + 2e- → 2Cl- reduction
Fe → Fe2+ + 2e- oxidation
Pb2+ + 2e- → Pb reduction
H2 → 2H+ + 2e- oxidation
Ag → Ag+ + e- oxidation
 Important Terminology
OXIDATION REDUCTION

A reaction where electrons are lost. A reaction where electrons are gained.

Helpful hint: oxidation and reduction both end in ION as they are both types of reactions.

OXIDANT REDUCTANT

A chemical that causes something else to A chemical that causes something else

undergo oxidation (but is itself reduced). to undergo reduction (but is itself

E.g. Cu2+ + 2e- → Cu is reduction oxidised).

E.g. Zn → Zn2+ + 2e- is oxidation
therefore Cu is the oxidant.
2+

therefore Zn is the reductant.

Helpful hint: oxidant and reductant both end in ANT as they are both reactants.
 You try…
Reaction Oxidation or Oxidant or reductant
reduction?
Cl2 + 2e- → 2Cl- Reduction
Fe → Fe2+ + 2e- Oxidation
Pb2+ + 2e- → Pb Reduction
H2 → 2H+ + 2e- Oxidation
Ag → Ag+ + e- Oxidation
 You try…
Reaction Oxidation or Oxidant or reductant
reduction?
Cl2 + 2e- → 2Cl- Reduction oxidant
Fe → Fe2+ + 2e- Oxidation reductant
Pb2+ + 2e- → Pb Reduction oxidant
H2 → 2H+ + 2e- Oxidation reductant
Ag → Ag+ + e- Oxidation reductant
 What are Half Equations?
OXIDATION HALF EQUATION
Zn  Zn2+ + 2e-
Note: you can identify an equation as
an oxidation half equation when
electrons are represented on the
product side of the equation. This is
because a reactant in the equation has
lost an electron(s).
REDUCTION HALF
EQUATION
Cu2+ + 2e-  Cu
Note: you can identify an equation
as a reduction half equation when
electrons are represented on the
reactant side of the equation. This
is because a reactant in the
equation has gained electron(s).
 Identifying Half Equations
To identify the half equations in an overall equation, match up an element from the

reactant side with its partner on the product side of the equation.

E.g. Pb2+ + Mg  Pb + Mg2+

Mg  Mg2+ (Conjugate pairs)

Pb2+  Pb (Conjugate pairs)

Then, balance each half equation by adding the appropriate number of electrons to

the more positive side of the equation.

Mg  Mg2+ + 2e- OXIDATION

Pb2+ + 2e-  Pb REDUCTION

 Balancing Half Equations
To balance a half equation, you need to ensure the charges are balanced on either side of the

equation.

The charge can be balanced by adding electrons to the more positive side of the equation.

E.g. Cu2+ to Cu+

Cu2+  Cu+

Cu2+ + e-  Cu+

Try these:

• I- to I2

• Al to Al3+

• Fe3+ to Fe2+
 Balancing Half Equations
To balance a half equation, you need to ensure the charges are balanced on either side of

the equation.

The charge can be balanced by adding electrons to the more positive side of the

equation.

E.g. Cu2+ to Cu+

Cu2+ + e-  Cu+

Try these:

• I- to I2 2I-  I2 + 2e-

• Al to Al3+ Al  Al3+ + 3e-

• Fe3+ to Fe2+ Fe3+ + e-  Fe2+

• H+ to H2 2H+ + 2e-  H2
 You try…
Write the half equations for the following reactions (label each half

equation as either oxidation or reduction).

• Zn (s) + 2H+ (aq)  Zn2+ (aq) + H2 (g)

• Ca (s) + Cl2 (g)  CaCl2 (aq)

•2Na (s) + Cl2 (g)  2NaCl (aq)

 You try…
Write the half equations for the following reactions (label each half

equation as either oxidation or reduction).

• Zn (s) + 2H+ (aq)  Zn2+ (aq) + H2 (g) Zn  Zn2+ + 2e- 2H+ + 2e-  + H2

• Ca (s) + Cl2 (g)  CaCl2 (aq) Ca  Ca2+ +2e- Cl2 + 2e-  2Cl-

• 2Na (s) + Cl2 (g)  2NaCl (aq) Na  Na+ + e- Cl2 + 2e-  2Cl-
How is the Full Equation Derived
from Half Equations?
When an oxidation and reduction half equation are joined together,
we get the full equation for the redox reaction taking place:

Zn  Zn2+ + 2e-
Cu2+ + 2e-  Cu

Zn (s) + Cu2+ (aq)  Zn2+ (aq) + Cu (s)

Note: there are no electrons present in the full

equation, because they cancel out.
 Overall Equations
Oxidation half equation Reduction half equation
Cu (s) → Cu2+ (aq) + 2e- Ag+ (aq) + e- → Ag (s)

To combine reduction and oxidation half ×2

equations together, the electrons must be

balanced so that they cancel.

2Ag+ (aq) + 2e- → 2Ag (s)

OVERALL EQUATION

Cu (s) + 2Ag+ (aq) → Cu2+ (aq) + 2Ag (s)

 You try…
Add the following half equations together to form the overall equation:

Half equation 1 Half equation 2 Overall equation

Cl2 + 2e- → 2Cl- Fe → Fe2+ + 2e-

Cl2 + 2e- → 2Cl- Al → Al3+ + 3e-

Pb2+ + 2e- → Pb Al → Al3+ + 3e-

Pb2+ + 2e- → Pb Na → Na+ + e-

 You try…
Add the following half equations together to form the overall equation:

Half equation 1 Half equation 2 Overall equation

Cl2 + 2e- → 2Cl- Fe → Fe2+ + 2e- Cl2 + Fe → FeCl2

Cl2 + 2e- → 2Cl- Al → Al3+ + 3e- 3Cl2 + 2Al → 2AlCl3

Pb2+ + 2e- → Pb Al → Al3+ + 3e- 3Pb2+ + 2Al → 2Al3+ + 3Pb

Pb2+ + 2e- → Pb Na → Na+ + e- Pb2+ + 2Na → Pb + 2Na+

Writing more complex redox
reactions – using KOHES
• Sometimes you will encounter redox reactions involving
polyatomic ions, such as MnO4-, NO3-, SO42-
• Step 1 - don’t panic. Take a deep breath
• Step 2 – use KOHES
K: Key element (any element except O or H)
O: Oxygen. Balance oxygen by adding H2O
H: Hydrogen. Balance hydrogen by adding H+
E: Electrons. Balance charges by adding electrons
S: States. Include states
Example – p389 textbook
Write a half-equation for the reduction of permanganate ions,
MnO4-(aq) to manganese ions, Mn2+(aq)

Step 1: write the basic equation: MnO4- → Mn2+

K: Identify the Key element (Mn) and balance both sides
MnO4- → Mn2+ (already balanced)
O: Balance the oxygen atoms by adding water
MnO4- → Mn2+ + 4H2O (4 oxygens on both sides)
H: Balance the hydrogens by adding H+
MnO4- + 8H+ → Mn2+ + 4H2O (8 hydrogens on both sides)
E: Balance the charges by adding electrons
MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- → Mn2+ + 4H2O (charge of 2+ on both sides)
S: Add states
MnO4- (aq) + 8H+(aq) + 5e- → Mn2+(aq) + 4H2O(l)
Even harder redox reactions !
Combining half-equations to write balanced full equations
Balance the following equation using the half equation method.
Show both half equations and the overall equation.
Cr2O72-(aq) + H2S (g)  S (s)+ Cr3+(aq)

Step 1:
Split into 2 half equations: H2S  S and Cr2O72-  Cr3+

Step 2:
Write complete half equations using KOHES
H2S  S
H2S  S
K: Identify the Key element (S) and balance both sides
H2S  S (already balanced)
O: Balance the oxygen atoms by adding water
H2S  S (No oxygens, so not required)
H: Balance the hydrogens by adding H+
H2S  S + 2H+ (2 hydrogens on both sides)
E: Balance the charges by adding electrons
H2S  S + 2H+ + 2e- (charge of 0 on both sides)
S: Add states
H2S (g)  S(s) + 2H+(aq) + 2e-
Cr2O72-  Cr3+
K: Identify the Key element (S) and balance both sides
Cr2O72-  2Cr3+ (2 on each side)
O: Balance the oxygen atoms by adding water
Cr2O72-  2Cr3+ + 7H2O (7 oxygens on both sides)
H: Balance the hydrogens by adding H+
Cr2O72- + 14H+  2Cr3+ + 7H2O (14 hydrogens on both sides)
E: Balance the charges by adding electrons
Cr2O72- + 14H+ + 6e-  2Cr3+ + 7H2O (charge of 6+ on both
sides)
S: Add states
Cr2O72- (aq) + 14H+(aq) + 6e-  2Cr3+(aq) + 7H2O (l)
Combine the two half equations
H2S  S + 2H+ + 2e-
Cr2O72- + 14H+ + 6e-  2Cr3+ + 7H2O
Balance up the number of electrons on each side
- multiply eq. 1 by 3
3H2S  3S + 6H+ + 6e-

Cr2O72- + 14H+ + 6e-  2Cr3+ + 7H2O

Cancel out the electrons (and any H+ and H2O) on both sides
3H2S + Cr2O72- + 14H+ + 6e-  3S + 6H+ + 6e- + 2Cr3+ + 7H2O

Remember to include the states:

3H2S (g) + Cr2O72- (aq) + 8H+ (aq)  3S(s) + 2Cr3+ (aq) + 7H2O (l)
Oxidation Numbers
Learning Intentions:
• To understand how to assign oxidation numbers to redox
equations

Success Criteria:
• I can correctly assign oxidation numbers
 Oxidation Numbers
During the corrosion of iron the following half reactions occur.

Oxidation Fe (s)  Fe2+ (aq) + 2e-

O2 (g) + 2H2O (l) + 4e-  4OH- (aq) Reduction

But which reactant in

the second equation is
acting as the oxidant?
 Oxidation Numbers
Oxidation numbers (or oxidation states) allow us to determine:

1. Whether a redox reaction has taken place.

2. Which element has undergone oxidation and which element has

undergone reduction.

If the oxidation number changes for an element going

from the reactant to the product side of the equation,
then a redox reaction has taken place.
 Oxidation Numbers
• If the oxidation number of an element increases going from the reactant to
product side of the equation, then it has undergone oxidation and that element
is the reductant.

• If the oxidation number of an element decreases going from the reactant to

product side of the equation, then it has undergone reduction and that element
is the oxidant.
Sulfur has undergone oxidation
and is the reductant

+2 -2 +1 +5 -2 +2+6 -2 +2 -2 +1 -2
E.g. 3CuS (s) + 8HNO3 (aq) -> 3 CuSO4 (aq) + 8NO (g) +
4H2O (l)
Nitrogen has undergone
reduction and is the
oxidant
How are oxidation numbers assigned?
Oxidation Rules

1. The oxidation number of free elements is zero.

0 0 0 0
Na , C , O2 , H2

2. The oxidation number of simple ions is equal to their

charge.

+1 -1 +2 -2

Na+ , Cl- , Mg2+ , S2-

 How are oxidation number assigned?
Oxidation Rules
3. In compounds some elements have fixed oxidation numbers:
• Main group metals have oxidation +2 +1 +3
MgO , NaCl , AlCl3
numbers equal to their valency
 How are oxidation number assigned?
Oxidation Rules
4. The sum of the oxidation numbers in a neutral atom is zero:
+2 -1 +1 -2
MgCl2

Na2S
5. The sum of the oxidation numbers in a polyatomic ion is equal to
the charge on the ion:
+3 -1 +5 -2
AlCl4- NO3-
 How are oxidation number assigned?
Oxidation Rules
6. Last but not least, the MOST important rule is:
Hydrogen (H) is always +1 (except in metal hydrides)
Oxygen (O) is always -2 (except in peroxides)

Element Oxidation state in compounds

+1 except in metal hydrides e.g. NaH, CaH2 where it
Hydrogen
is -1

Oxygen -2 except in peroxides (H2O2) -1)

 You try…
Find the oxidation numbers for each element in the following compounds:

• H2SO4

• SO2

• HNO3

• NH4+

• IO3-

• H2O2
 You try…
Find the oxidation numbers for each element in the following compounds:

• H2SO4 H = +1, O = -2, therefore S = +6

• SO2 O = -2, therefore S = +4

• HNO3 H = +1, O = -2, therefore N = +5

• NH4+ H = +1, therefore N = -3 (note: overall charge is +1)

• IO3- O = -2, therefore I = +5 )note: overall charge is -1)

• H2O2 H = +1, O = -1 (because this is a peroxide – one of the

rare exceptions)
 Using Oxidation Numbers
Use oxidation numbers to identify the element that has been oxidized and
the one that has been reduced:
NH3 is the
oxidation reductant

+2 -2 -3 +1 0 +2 -2 +1 -2
CuO (s) + NH3 (aq)  Cu (s) + NO (g) + H2O (l)
CuO is the
oxidant
reduction

Oxidation half equation: NH3 (aq)  NO (g)

Reduction half equation: CuO (s)  Cu (s)

Electrochemical
Series
Predicting Reactions
Electrochemical Series
Learning Intentions:
• To learn how to read the electrochemical series
• To understand how to use the electrochemical series to predict
spontaneous reactions

Success Criteria:
• I can use the electrochemical series to predict redox reactions
 The Electrochemical Series
Strongest Weakest
Oxidant Reductant

The electrochemical

Increasing Oxidising Strength

Increasing Reducing Strength

series is a series of
reduction half
equations ordered
in oxidising
strength from top
to bottom. Weakest Strongest
Oxidant Reductant
 Predicting Reactions
The electrochemical series
can also be used to predict
whether a spontaneous
redox reaction will occur
between chemical species if
they are placed, for
example, in the same
beaker or test tube.
 Understanding Redox at the
Macroscopic Level
• The macroscopic scale is where things can be seen with the naked
eye.
• What can you see when a redox reaction takes place?
You might see:
- Metal deposits
- Change in colour of solution (e.g.
copper sulfate turning less blue)
- Bubbles in redox reactions where

gases are involved (e.g. O2 and

H2).
 Strongest
Strongest Weakest
Oxidant
Oxidant Reductant

Increasing Oxidising Strength

Increasing Reducing Strength

Strongest Oxidant reacts with Strongest Reductant

Weakest Strongest
Strongest
Oxidant Reductant
Reductant
 Strongest
Oxidant
IS REDUCED

If the chemical
species present
have this diagonal
relationship (with a
NEGATIVE
GRADIENT) on
the electrochemical
series, then a
SPONTANEOUS
redox reaction will
take place between
them.
IS OXIDISED
Strongest
Reductant
 Example…
Looking at the example below, you
have metal zinc – Zn (s) and CuSO4
(aq)

Will the reaction happen

spontaneously?
 Example 2
Will there be a spontaneous
reaction if a piece of solid copper
metal (Cu)is placed in a solution
of Zinc sulphate (ZnSO4)

No, there is a positive gradient, so

a spontaneous reaction will NOT
happen.
 You Try…
You are given three solutions (A,
B and C) known to be zinc
sulfate, tin (II) chloride and
sodium nitrate. What two metals
could you use to identify the three
solutions?
Corrosion
Redox in action
Learning Intentions:
•To apply the concepts of redox reactions in understanding
corrosion.

Success Criteria:
•I can identify different types of corrosion
•I can name and describe different types of corrosion protection
Corrosion
The oxidation of metals in the environment.
Metal rusting is an example of corrosion
Corrosion Types
Dry Corrosion:
•Metal reacting directly with oxygen
•Slow in most cases

Wet Corrosion:
•Metal reacting with oxygen in the presence of water.
•A much faster process
Wet corrosion process
Wet corrosion process
Undergoes a series of reactions:
2Fe(s) + O2 (g) + H2O (l) → 2Fe(OH)2 (s)
Remember: redox is the transfer of electrons. Water helps to
speed up this process as it provides a pathway for the electrons
to travel.
Half equations:
Fe(s) → Fe2+(aq) + 2e-
O2 (g) + H2O (l) + 4e- → 4OH- (s)

Why do you think rusting happens even faster in salt water?

Corrosion Protection
•Surface protection – plastic, paint, oil / grease

•Alloying – stainless steel

•Sacrificial / Electrochemical Protection
Sacrificial Protection
•A more reactive metal is placed in contact with the metal you
want to ‘protect’.
•The more reactive metal will corrode first and is ‘sacrificed’ to
save the other.
•Eg. Magnesium is placed
on underground pipes.
When the magnesium has
corroded away, it gets
replaced.