Oxidation Reduction Reactions

Redox
Reactions!
7.3 Oxidation−Reduction Reactions
Rust forms when the

oxygen in the air
reacts with iron. In
this process,
electrons are
transferred from one
substance to another.
Learning Goal Define the terms oxidation and

reduction; identify the reactants oxidized and reduced.
General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry: Structures of Life, 5/e © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
Karen C. Timberlake
Oxidation-Reduction (REDOX) reactions
Originally oxidation was assigned to the combination of an element with oxygen to

give an oxide and reduction was the reverse.
Today, a much broader definition is given:
loss of electron(s) for oxidation Na Na+ + e-
gain of electron(s) for reduction Cl2 + e-  2Cl-
Thus redox reactions are electron transfer reactions. 2Na + Cl2 2Na+ + 2Cl-
In more complex reactions a bookkeeping system, oxidation

numbers, is used to keep track of electron transfers.
A redox reaction is therefore a reaction in which changes in
oxidation numbers occur.
Karen C. Timberlake
Oxidation−Reduction
In an oxidation–reduction reaction, electrons are transferred

from one substance to another.
Oxidized- is the
reducing agent.
Reduced- is the
oxidizing agent.
OIL RIG
Oxidation Is Loss of electrons. Reduction Is Gain of electrons.
Karen C. Timberlake
An oxidizing agent makes oxidation
happens.
A reducing agent makes reduction

happens.
Karen C. Timberlake
Oxidation−Reduction Reactions
An oxidation–reduction reaction
• provides us with energy from food.
• provides electrical energy in batteries.
• occurs when iron rusts:
4Fe(s) + 3O2(g)  2Fe2O3(s)
Karen C. Timberlake
Zn Transfers Electrons to Cu2+
In a single replacement reaction, Zn(s) is oxidized to Zn2+(aq) when it provides

two electrons to reduce Cu2+(aq) to Cu(s).
Karen C. Timberlake
Oxidation Numbers
Rules for assigning oxidation numbers are as follows:

1. Elements by itself: 0
2. Group IA: always +1
3. Group 2A: always +2
4. Halogens: usually -1, positive with oxygen
5. Monoatomic ion: ion charge
6. H: +1 with nonmetals, -1 with metals
7. O: usually -2, -1 in peroxide
8. F: always -1
9. Neutral Compound: 0
10. Polyatomic Ion: ion charge
Karen C. Timberlake
Try these:
NH4Cl, KMnO4,
Na2S2O3
Karen C. Timberlake
Redox Reactions
Oxidation-increase in oxidation number Reduction-decrease in oxidation number
example.: rusting of iron.
4Fe(s) + 3O2(g)  2Fe2O3(s)

0 0 +3 -2
Identify substance that is oxidized, then identify substance that is reduced.

Identify oxidizing and reducing agents.
Karen C. Timberlake
Balancing redox reactions
Using the half-reaction method
In acidic solutions
• Assign oxidation states and determine oxidized and reduced species.
• Divide chemical equation into two half-reactions.
• Balance atoms (excluding H and O).
• Balance O (by adding H2O).
• Balance H (by adding H+).
• Balance charge (by adding electrons).
• Make electron gain equivalent to electron loss, then add the half-
reactions.
• Add the two reactions into one
• Cancel similar species on both sides of the chemical equation.
Karen C. Timberlake
•
Cr2O72- + Fe2+ Cr3+ + Fe3+
in acidic solution
Karen C. Timberlake
Balancing redox reactions
Using the half-reaction method
In basic solutions
• Follow the same initial steps, after adding H+ to balance…
• Add the same number of hydroxide ions as there are protons to both sides
of the chemical equation.
• “Neutralize the hydrogen ions” by combining protons and hydroxides to
give water molecules.
• Then continue the same steps…
Karen C. Timberlake
SO32- + MnO4-  SO42- + MnO2 in
basic solution
Karen C. Timberlake
Oxidation−Reduction
The green patina on the Statue of

Liberty is due to the oxidation of
copper metal as it forms a green
solid, CuO.
2Cu(s)  2Cu2+(s) + 4e− oxidation
O2(g) + 4e−  2O2− (s) reduction

2Cu(s) + O2(g)  2CuO(s)
Core Chemistry Skill Identifying Oxidized and Reduced

Substances
Karen C. Timberlake
Study Check
Identify each of the following as oxidation or

reduction:
A. Sn(s)  Sn4+(aq) + 4e−
B. Fe3+(aq) + 1e−  Fe2+(aq)
C. Cl2(g) + 2e−  2Cl− (aq)
Karen C. Timberlake
Solution
Identify each of the following as oxidation or

reduction:
A. Sn(s)  Sn4+(aq) + 4e− Oxidation
B. Fe3+(aq) + 1e−  Fe2+(aq) Reduction
C. Cl2(g) + 2e−  2Cl− (aq) Reduction
Karen C. Timberlake
Study Check
In light-sensitive sunglasses, UV light initiates an

oxidation–reduction reaction.
UV light
2Ag+ + 2Cl−  2Ag + Cl2
A. Which reactant is oxidized?
B. Which reactant is reduced?
Karen C. Timberlake
Solution
In light-sensitive sunglasses, UV light initiates an

oxidation–reduction reaction.
UV light
2Ag+ + 2Cl−  2Ag + Cl2
A. Which reactant is oxidized? chloride ion, Cl−

2Cl−  Cl2 + 2e−
B. Which reactant is reduced? silver ion, Ag+

2Ag+ + 2e− 
2Ag
Karen C. Timberlake
Characteristics of Oxidation and Reduction
Karen C. Timberlake
Oxidation–Reduction in Biological Systems,
Coenzyme FAD
The biochemical molecule FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide)

can be reduced to FADH2 by the transfer of two hydrogen
atoms (2H+ and 2e−).
Karen C. Timberlake
Oxidation–Reduction of CH3OH
In many biochemical oxidation–reduction reactions, the transfer of

hydrogen atoms is necessary for the production of energy.
• For example, the body metabolizes methyl alcohol, a poisonous
substance, by the following reactions:
CH3OH  H2CO + 2H Oxidation: loss of H atoms
methyl alcohol formaldehyde
2H2CO + O2  2H2CO2 Oxidation: addition of O atoms
formaldehyde formic acid
2H2CO2 + O2  2CO2 + 2 H2O Oxidation: addition of O atoms
formic acid
• The intermediate products are toxic, causing headaches and
possible death because they interfere with key reactions in cells.
Karen C. Timberlake
Characteristics, Oxidation−Reduction
The particular definition of oxidation and reduction depends on

the process that occurs in the reaction. Oxidation
• always involves a loss of electrons.
• may also be seen as an addition of oxygen.
• may also be seen as the loss of hydrogen atoms.
Reduction
• always involves a gain of electrons.
• may also be seen as the loss of oxygen.
• may also be seen as the gain of hydrogen.
Karen C. Timberlake

Oxidation Reduction Reactions

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Redox

Rust forms when the

Learning Goal Define the terms oxidation and

Originally oxidation was assigned to the combination of an element with oxygen to

In more complex reactions a bookkeeping system, oxidation

In an oxidation–reduction reaction, electrons are transferred

A reducing agent makes reduction

In a single replacement reaction, Zn(s) is oxidized to Zn2+(aq) when it provides

Rules for assigning oxidation numbers are as follows:

4Fe(s) + 3O2(g)  2Fe2O3(s)

Identify substance that is oxidized, then identify substance that is reduced.

The green patina on the Statue of

O2(g) + 4e−  2O2− (s) reduction

Core Chemistry Skill Identifying Oxidized and Reduced

Identify each of the following as oxidation or

Identify each of the following as oxidation or

In light-sensitive sunglasses, UV light initiates an

A. Which reactant is oxidized?

B. Which reactant is reduced?

In light-sensitive sunglasses, UV light initiates an

A. Which reactant is oxidized? chloride ion, Cl−

B. Which reactant is reduced? silver ion, Ag+

The biochemical molecule FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide)

In many biochemical oxidation–reduction reactions, the transfer of

The particular definition of oxidation and reduction depends on

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