Topic 3: Redox I

Lesson 2

9. be able to indicate the oxidation number of an element in a compound or ion,

using a Roman numeral

10. be able to write formulae given oxidation numbers

Nomenclature
If an element can have multiple oxidation numbers, or it is not
its ‘normal’ oxidation number, its oxidation number can be
shown using roman numerals.

(I) = +1 (II) = +2 (III) = +3

When a roman numeral is attached after then name of an ‘-ate’

compound, it corresponds to the non-oxygen element.
Roman Numerals
Manganese (IV) oxide shows that Mn is in the 4+ oxidation state in MnO2

Sulfur (VI) oxide shows that S is in the ___ oxidation state in ___

Dichromate (VI) shows that the Cr is in the ___ oxidation state in ___ 2-

Phosphorus (V) chloride shows that the P is in the ___ oxidation state for ___

Phosphorus (III) chloride show that the P is in the ___ oxidation state for ___

Name the following compounds:

a. PbO2
b. SnCl2
c. SbCl3
d. TiCl4
e. BrF5
Half Equations
When balancing half equations, not only do you need to look at the number of
atoms of different elements on each side of the equations but also the overall
charge on each side of the equation.

Silver nitrate reacts with copper to form hair-like crystals of silver nitrate and
a blue solution of copper nitrate.
2AgNO3 + Cu → Cu(NO3)2 + 2Ag
Without writing the ionic equation, can you write the two half equations for
this reaction (use oxidation numbers to help you).

+2 0 +2 0
Ag(NO3)2 + Cu → Cu(NO3)2 + 2Ag

Cu → Cu2+ + 2e-

2e- + Ag2+ → Ag
MOHE
To balance trickier equations, we can use MOHE:

Main element

Oxygen → use H2O to balance

Hydrogen → use H+ to balance unless they have specified

alkaline conditions
Balance the following equations using MOHE:
Electrons
H2O2 → O2

MnO4- → Mn2+
MOHE
Balance the following equations using MOHE:

H2O2 → O2

MnO4- → Mn2+

M
H2O2 🡪 O2 + 2H+ + 2e-
O

E
MOHE
Balance the following equations using MOHE:

H2O2 → O2

MnO4- → Mn2+

M
5e- + 8H+ + MnO4- 🡪 Mn2+ + 4H2O
O

E
 Reference in Text
Topic 3: Redox I Book
1. know what is meant by the term ‘oxidation number’
2. be able to calculate the oxidation number of elements in compounds and ions
The use of oxidation numbers in peroxides and metal hydrides is expected.
3. understand oxidation and reduction in terms of electron transfer and changes in
oxidation number, applied to reactions of s- and p-block elements
4. understand oxidation and reduction in terms of electron loss or electron gain
5. know that oxidising agents gain electrons
6. know that reducing agents lose electrons
7. understand that a disproportionation reaction involves an element in a single
species being simultaneously oxidised and reduced
8. know that oxidation number is a useful concept in terms of the classification of
reactions as redox and as disproportionation
9. be able to indicate the oxidation number of an element in a compound or ion,
using a Roman numeral
10. be able to write formulae given oxidation numbers
11. understand that metals, in general, form positive ions by loss of electrons with
an increase in oxidation number
12. understand that non-metals, in general, form negative ions by gain of
electrons
with a decrease in oxidation number
13. be able to write ionic half-equations and use them to construct full ionic
equations.
 Topic 3: Redox I
Lesson 3

13. be able to write ionic half-equations and use them to construct full ionic equations.
Combining Half Equations
H2O2 → O2 + 2H+ + 2e-

5e- + 8H+ + MnO4- → Mn2+ + 4H2O

Step 1 – Make sure the number of electrons in both equations are equal.

H2O2 → O2 + 2H+ + 2e- → x5

5e- + 8H++ MnO4- → Mn2+ + 4H2O → x2

Step 2 – Add the two equations together.

5H2O2 → 5O2 + 10H+ + 10e-

10e- + 16H++ 2MnO4- → 2Mn2+ + 8H2O

10e- + 16H++ 2MnO4- + 5H2O2 → 2Mn2+ + 8H2O + 5O2 + 10H+ + 10e-

Combining Half Equations
H2O2 → O2 + 2H+ + 2e-

5e- + 8H+ + MnO4- → Mn2+ + 4H2O

Step 3 – Cancel out/simplify species that are the same on both sides.

10e- + 16H++ 2MnO4- + 5H2O2 → 2Mn2+ + 8H2O + 5O2 + 10H+ + 10e-

6H+ ions will be remaining

Step 4 – Write out the full ionic equation. Check the balancing of both
atoms and charge.

6H++ 2MnO4- + 5H2O2 → 2Mn2+ + 8H2O + 5O2

Combining Half Equations
1. Potassium dichromate(VI) solution acidified with dilute
sulphuric acid is used to oxidise ethanol, CH3CH2OH, to ethanoic
acid, CH3COOH .
The oxidising agent is the dichromate(VI) ion, Cr2O72-. This is
reduced to chromium(III) ions, Cr3+.

2. Potassium oxylate (K2C2O4) is used to reduce FeO42- to Fe3+. M

The reducing agent is the oxylate ion, C2O42-.
This is oxidised to Carbon dioxide CO2(g). O

E
 Reference in Text
Topic 3: Redox I Book
1. know what is meant by the term ‘oxidation number’
2. be able to calculate the oxidation number of elements in compounds and ions
The use of oxidation numbers in peroxides and metal hydrides is expected.
3. understand oxidation and reduction in terms of electron transfer and changes in
oxidation number, applied to reactions of s- and p-block elements
4. understand oxidation and reduction in terms of electron loss or electron gain
5. know that oxidising agents gain electrons
6. know that reducing agents lose electrons
7. understand that a disproportionation reaction involves an element in a single
species being simultaneously oxidised and reduced
8. know that oxidation number is a useful concept in terms of the classification of
reactions as redox and as disproportionation
9. be able to indicate the oxidation number of an element in a compound or ion,
using a Roman numeral
10. be able to write formulae given oxidation numbers
11. understand that metals, in general, form positive ions by loss of electrons with
an increase in oxidation number
12. understand that non-metals, in general, form negative ions by gain of
electrons
with a decrease in oxidation number
13. be able to write ionic half-equations and use them to construct full ionic
equations.
Balancing redox equations and writing half
equations

Example 1:

CuS + HNO3 → CuSO4 + NO + H2O

Example 2:

I2 + HNO3 → HIO3 + NO2 + H2O

Balancing redox equations and writing half
equations
Answers