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    CHE 1000-E LEARNING - BALANCING REDOX REACTIONS

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    Nathan Mulungu
    This document provides an overview of balancing redox reactions through various methods. It discusses the key concepts of oxidation and reduction and defines oxidation numbers. It then outlines the steps to balance redox reactions in acidic and basic solutions using the ion-electron and half-reaction methods. Examples are provided to demonstrate how to apply these steps to balance redox equations.

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    CHE 1000-E LEARNING - BALANCING REDOX REACTIONS

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    Nathan Mulungu
    59 views17 pages
    This document provides an overview of balancing redox reactions through various methods. It discusses the key concepts of oxidation and reduction and defines oxidation numbers. It then outlines the steps to balance redox reactions in acidic and basic solutions using the ion-electron and half-reaction methods. Examples are provided to demonstrate how to apply these steps to balance redox equations.

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    CHE 1000-e LEARNING- BALANCING REDOX REACTIONS

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    This document provides an overview of balancing redox reactions through various methods. It discusses the key concepts of oxidation and reduction and defines oxidation numbers. It then outlines the steps to balance redox reactions in acidic and basic solutions using the ion-electron and half-reaction methods. Examples are provided to demonstrate how to apply these steps to balance redox equations.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Download as pdf or txt
    59 views17 pages

    CHE 1000-E LEARNING - BALANCING REDOX REACTIONS

    Uploaded by

    Nathan Mulungu
    This document provides an overview of balancing redox reactions through various methods. It discusses the key concepts of oxidation and reduction and defines oxidation numbers. It then outlines the steps to balance redox reactions in acidic and basic solutions using the ion-electron and half-reaction methods. Examples are provided to demonstrate how to apply these steps to balance redox equations.

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    CHE 1000-e LEARNING

    RECAP ON BALANCING REDOX REACTIONS

    LECTURERS: DR. J NYIRENDA


    MRS M. XAVIER
    2019 ACADEMIC YEAR
    Overview of Redox Reactions

    Oxidation is the loss of electrons and reduction is the


    gain of electrons. These processes occur simultaneously.
    Oxidation Number (ON) is defined as the imaginary charge
    a species will acquire when an electron or electrons are
    added to it or subtracted from it.
    Oxidation results in an increase in O.N. while reduction
    results in a decrease in O.N.

    The oxidizing agent takes electrons from the substance


    being oxidized. The oxidizing agent is therefore reduced.
    The reducing agent takes electrons from the substance
    being oxidized. The reducing agent is therefore oxidized.
    JN E-LEARNING MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 2020
    Rules for Assigning Oxidation Numbers
    Compound Oxidation Number = ON Exception

    1, Pure elements =0
    2. Monoatomic ion ON= charge (z) on the ion (e.g.
    Cl- ; ON= -1, Cu2+; ON= +2)
    3. Polyatomic ion Sum of ON = ±z e.g. 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆42−
    ONS + 4xONO= -2
    4. F in compounds -1
    5. H in compounds +1 H- = -1 (metal
    hydrides
    6. O in compounds -2 Peroxides
    (H2O2 = -1)
    7. Neutral molecules Sum of ON= 0
    8. Diatomics, =0
    Cl2,O2,N2, etc.
    9. Group I element +1
    10 Group II element +2
    11. C in compounds -4 to +4
    JN E-LEARNING MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 2020
    Steps for Balancing Redox reactions
    by Ion-Electron Method
    Case 1=(Acidic Media)

    • Step 1: Divide reaction into half reactions, and assign the oxidation
    numbers
    • Step 2: Balance atoms other than H and O
    • Step 3: Balance O by adding H2O on the side deficient with O
    • Step 4: Balance H by adding H+ on the side deficient with H
    • Step 5: Balance net charge
    • Step 6: Balance electron gain = electron loss, and add the two half-
    reactions
    • Step 7: Cancel anything that is common on both sides of the
    equation

    JN E-LEARNING MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 2020


    Case 2=( Basic Media)

    • (Additional steps)
    • Step 8: Add on both sides of the equation the same number of
    OH- to eliminate H+ in step 7
    • Step 9: Combine OH- and H+ to form water
    • Step10: Cancel any water that you can.

    • Example: See examples in this topic

    JN E-LEARNING MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 2020


    Half-Reaction Method for
    Balancing Redox Reactions

    The half-reaction method or ion pair electron method


    divides a redox reaction into its oxidation and reduction
    half-reactions.
    - This reflects their physical separation in electrochemical cells.

    The half-reaction method is easier to apply to reactions in


    acidic or basic solutions.

    JN E-LEARNING MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 2020


    Steps in the Half-Reaction Method Summary
    • Divide the skeleton reaction into two half-reactions, each
    of which contains the oxidized and reduced forms of one
    of the species.
    • Balance the atoms and charges in each half-reaction.
    • First balance atoms other than O and H, then O, then H.
    • Charge is balanced by adding electrons (e-) to the left side in
    the reduction half-reaction and to the right side in the oxidation
    half-reaction.
    • If necessary, multiply one or both half-reactions by an
    integer so that
    • number of e- gained in reduction = number of e- lost in oxidation
    • Add the balanced half-reactions, and include states of
    matter.

    JN E-LEARNING MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 2020


    Balancing Redox Reactions in Acidic Solution
    Example: balance the following redox reaction in acid media
    Cr2O72-(aq) + I-(aq) → Cr3+(aq) + I2(s)
    Step 1: Divide the reaction into half-reactions and assign ON.
    Cr2O72- → Cr3+
    𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶2 𝑂𝑂72− 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠, 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 = 𝑥𝑥
    2𝑥𝑥 + 7 −2 = −2. 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶
    2𝑥𝑥 − 14 = −2 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 2𝑥𝑥 = 12 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 = 6

    So oxidation number for chromium = 6 on the left hand side while on


    the right hand side its +3 since it’s a monoatomic ion.
    ON=+6 -2 +3
    Cr2O72- → Cr3+
    Solving for the other half reaction which is straight forward we have
    ON=- 1 0
    I- → I2
    JN E-LEARNING MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 2020
    Balancing Redox Reactions in Acidic Solution
    ON=+6 -2 +3
    Cr2O72- → Cr3+ ON of Cr has reduced from 6 to 3 hence it’s a
    REDUCTION half reaction

    ON=- 1 0 ON of I has increased from -1 to 0 hence it’s


    I- → I2 an OXIDATION half reaction

    Steps 2-5: Balance the atoms and charges in each half-reaction.


    For the Cr2O72-/Cr3+ half-reaction:
    Balance atoms other than O and H:
    Cr2O72- → 2Cr3+
    Balance O atoms by adding H2O molecules:

    Cr2O72- → 2Cr3+ + 7H2O

    JN E-LEARNING MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 2020


    Balance H atoms by adding H+ ions:
    14H+ + Cr2O72- → 2Cr3+ + 7H2O

    Balance charges by adding electrons:


    6e- + 14H+ + Cr2O72- → 2Cr3+ + 7H2O
    Remember, this is the reduction half-reaction. Cr2O72- is reduced, and is
    the oxidizing agent. The O.N. of Cr decreases from +6 to +3.

    For the I-/I2 half-reaction:


    Balance atoms other than O and H:
    2I- → I2
    There are no O or H atoms, so we balance charges by adding electrons:
    2I- → I2 + 2e-
    Remember, this is the oxidation half-reaction. I- is oxidized, and is the
    reducing agent. The O.N. of I increases from -1 to 0.
    JN E-LEARNING MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 2020
    Step 6: Multiply each half-reaction, if necessary, by an integer so that
    the number of e- lost in the oxidation equals the number of e- gained
    in the reduction.
    The reduction half-reaction shows that 6e- are gained; the oxidation
    half-reaction shows only 2e- being lost and must be multiplied by 3:
    3(2I- → I2 + 2e-)
    6I- → 3I2 + 6e-

    Step 7: Add the half-reactions, canceling substances that appear on


    both sides, and include states of matter. Electrons must always cancel.
    6e- + 14H+ + Cr2O72- → 2Cr3+ + 7H2O
    6I- → 3I2 + 6e-
    6I-(aq) + 14H+(aq) + Cr2O72-(aq) → 3I2(s) + 7H2O(l) + 2Cr3+(aq)

    JN E-LEARNING MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 2020


    Balancing Redox Reactions in Basic Solution
    An acidic solution contains H+ ions and H2O. We use H+
    ions to balance H atoms.
    A basic solution contains OH- ions and H2O. To balance
    H atoms, we proceed as if in acidic solution, and then
    add one OH- ion to both sides of the equation.

    For every OH- ion and H+ ion that appear on the same
    side of the equation we form a H2O molecule.

    Excess H2O molecules are canceled in the final step,


    when we cancel electrons and other common species.

    JN E-LEARNING MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 2020


    Example Balancing a Redox Reaction in Basic
    Solution

    PROBLEM: Permanganate ion reacts in basic solution with oxalate


    ion to form carbonate ion and solid manganese dioxide.
    Balance the skeleton ionic equation for the reaction
    between NaMnO4 and Na2C2O4 in basic solution:
    MnO4-(aq) + C2O42-(aq) → MnO2(s) + CO32-(aq) [basic solution]
    PLAN: We follow the numbered steps as described in the text, and
    proceed through step 7 as if this reaction occurs in acidic
    solution. Then we add the appropriate number of OH- ions
    and cancel excess H2O molecules.
    SOLUTION:
    Step 1: Divide the reaction into half-reactions.
    MnO4- → MnO2 C2O42- → CO32-

    JN E-LEARNING MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 2020


    Steps 2-5: Balance the atoms and charges in each half-reaction.
    Balance atoms other than O and H:
    MnO4- → MnO2 C2O42- → 2CO32-

    Balance O atoms by adding H2O molecules:


    MnO4- → MnO2 + 2H2O 2H2O + C2O42- → 2CO32-

    Balance H atoms by adding H+ ions:


    4H+ + MnO4- → MnO2 + 2H2O 2H2O + C2O42- → 2CO32- + 4H+

    Balance charges by adding electrons:


    3e- + 4H+ + MnO4- → MnO2 + 2H2O 2H2O + C2O42- → 2CO32- + 4H+ + 2e-
    [reduction] [oxidation]

    JN E-LEARNING MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 2020


    Practice on assigning oxidation numbers or states

    We will use the same example of oxalate and permanganate

    MnO4- → MnO2 C2O42- → CO32-


    𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀 = 𝑥𝑥 𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 𝐶𝐶 = 𝑦𝑦
    𝑥𝑥 + 4 −2 = −1 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 + 2 −2 = 0 2𝑦𝑦 + 4 −2 = −2 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑦𝑦 + 3 −2 = −2
    𝑥𝑥 = +7 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 = +4 𝑦𝑦 = +3 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑦𝑦 = +4

    ON= +7 -2 +4 -2 ON= +3 -2 +4 -2
    MnO4- → MnO2 C2O42- → CO32-

    Recall what an increase in ON signifies and a decrease in the same


    signifies. This is going to help you understand which reaction is
    undergoing oxidation or reduction

    JN E-LEARNING MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 2020


    Step 6: Multiply each half-reaction, if necessary, by an integer so that
    the number of e- lost in the oxidation equals the number of e- gained
    in the reduction.
    x2 6e- + 8H+ + 2MnO4- → 2MnO2 + 4H2O
    x3 6H2O + 3C2O42- → 6CO32- + 12H+ + 6e-

    Step 7: Add the half-reactions, canceling substances that appear on


    both sides.
    6e- + 8H+ + 2MnO4- → 2MnO2 + 4H2O
    2 6H2O + 3C2O42- → 6CO32- +412H+ + 6e-
    2MnO4- + 2H2O + 3C2O42- → 2MnO2 + 6CO32- + 4H+

    JN E-LEARNING MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 2020


    Steps 8 and 9, basic media. Add OH- to both sides of the equation to
    neutralize H+, and cancel H2O.

    2MnO4- + 2H2O + 3C2O42- + 4OH- → 2MnO2 + 6CO32- + [4H+ + 4OH-]


    2MnO4- + 2H2O + 3C2O42- + 4OH- → 2MnO2 + 6CO32- + 2 4H2O

    Step 10
    Including states of matter gives the final balanced equation:
    2MnO4-(aq) + 3C2O42-(aq) + 4OH-(aq) → 2MnO2(s) + 6CO32-(aq) + 2H2O(l)

    JN E-LEARNING MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 2020

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