Title: Lab Exp.

Report 5 Redox reactions

By: Abdelmoniem Attia
ID: 141514
Submitted to: Eng. Ghada El-Nowihy

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Abstract

The purpose of this experiment is to observe and interpret six redox reactions and to determine the
relative oxidizing and reducing strength of a series of ions. The investigations include the redox reactions
between Iron (III) ions and aqueous iodide ions, Iron (III) ions and aqueous bromide ions, Iron (III) ions
and aqueous chlorine, Iron (III) ions and aqueous iodine, Iron (II) and acidified manganate (VII) ions, as
well as the reaction between chlorine and bromide ions. The strongest oxidizing of all ions in the
experiment is the manganate ion.

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Contents
Abstract............................................................................................................................................1
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Experimental results........................................................................................................................4
Order of oxidizing strength..........................................................................................................5
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................6
Bibliography....................................................................................................................................6

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Introduction

A Redox reaction is a type of chemical reaction in which there is an exchange of electrons from
one species to another[ CITATION Cat14 \l 1033 ]. In a redox reaction, two half reactions occur,
one reactant loses electrons (undergoes oxidation) and another reactant gains electrons
(undergoes reduction). The oxidation reaction provides the electrons necessary for reduction to
occur. Hence, the oxidized species is the reducing agent and the reduced species is the oxidizing
agent[ CITATION UCC18 \l 1033 ].

Standard electrode potential values, E , give us a measure of how easily a species is reduced or
O

oxidized. We can compare the oxidizing and reducing powers of elements and ions by comparing
the E values for their half reactions; The more positive the value of E , the greater the tendency
O O

for the half-equation to proceed in the forward direction and the less positive the value of E , the
O

greater the tendency for the half-equation to proceed in the reverse direction. The more positive
the value of E , the easier it is to reduce the species on the left of the half-equation. The less
O

positive the value of E , the easier it is to oxidize the species on the right of the half-equation.
O

We can predict whether a reaction is likely to occur by referring to table containing a list of half-
reactions with their standard reduction potentials, E values listed in descending order from most
O

positive to most negative. When we select two half-equations, a reaction occurs in a direction so
that the stronger oxidizing agent reacts with the stronger reducing agent.
Note the following as the values of E for each of these reduction reactions gets more negative;
O

the species on the left of the equation become weaker oxidizing agents. They accept electrons
less readily. The species on the right of the equation become stronger reducing agents. They
release electrons more readily [ CITATION Law14 \l 1033 ].

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Experimental results
Test Observations Ionic equation Deduction
Iron (III) + aqueous Yellow brown Fe3+(aq) + 2I–(aq) Fe3+(aq)oxidizes I–(aq)
iodide solution and dark blue ⇌ 2Fe2+(aq) + I2(aq) Fe3+(aq)> I2(aq)
Add about 8 drops of with starch.
iron (III) solution to 1
cm of aqueous iodide
ions. Add a few drops
of starch
Iron (III) + aqueous No change No reaction Fe3+(aq)does not
bromide oxidize Br–(aq)
Add 2 cm3 of aqueous Fe3+(aq) not > Br2(aq)
bromide ions to 1 cm3
of aqueous iron(III)
ions. Add 1 cm3 of
hexane, cork, shake,
and leave.
Iron (II) + aqueous green solution formed 2Fe2+(aq) + Cl2(aq) Cl2(aq) oxidises Fe2+
chlorine and orange/red with ⇌2Fe3+ (aq) + 2Cl– (aq)
Add 2 cm3 of aqueous KCNS Cl2(aq) > Fe2+(aq)
chlorine to 1 cm3 of
aqueous iron(II) ions.
Observe any change,
then add a few drops
of potassium
thiocyanate (KCNS)
solution
Iron (II) + aqueous No change (pale No reaction I2(aq) does not
iodine brown solution oxidize Fe2+(aq)
Add about 4 drops of formed)

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 aqueous iodine to 1 I2(aq) not > Fe2+(aq)
cm3 of aqueous iron
(II) ions. Observe any
change, then add a
few drops of
potassium thiocyanate
(KCNS) solution
Iron (II) + acidified solution decolorized MnO4–(aq) + 5Fe2+ MnO4–(aq) oxidizes
manganate (VII) and orange with (aq) + 8H+(aq) ⇌ Fe2+(aq)
Mix 1 cm3 of aqueous KCNS Mn2+(aq) + 5Fe3+(aq) MnO4–(aq) > Fe3+(aq)
MnO4– ions with 1 + 4H2O
cm3 of dilute
sulphuric acid. Add,
drop wise, 3 cm3 of
iron(II) solution.
Observe any change.
Add a few drops of
potassium thiocyanate
(KCNS) solution.
chlorine +bromide Colorless solution Cl2 (aq) + 2Br – (aq) Cl2(aq) oxidizes Br –
Add about 1 cm3 of turns yellow ⇌ (aq)
aqueous chlorine to 1 hexane layer is darker I2(aq) + 2Cl –(aq) Cl2(aq) > Br2(aq)
cm3 of aqueous yellow/ brown
bromide ions. Add
about 1 cm3 of
hexane, cork, shake
and leave

Order of oxidizing strength

Oxidizing MnO4- Cl2 Br2 Fe3+ I2
agent
EO 1.51 1.39 1.09 0.77 0.54

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Conclusion
The more positive the E O value the more powerful the oxidizing agent. The half reaction for the
more positive species runs forwards, that for the less positive species runs backwards making
MnO4- the strongest oxidizing agent of all ions in the experiment.

Bibliography
Drennan, C. (2014). Lecture 25: Oxidation-Reduction and Electrochemical Cells. Retrieved
March 6, 2018, from MITOPENCOURSEWARE:
https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/chemistry/5-111sc-principles-of-chemical-science-fall-
2014/unit-iv-transition-metals-oxidation-reduction-reactions/lecture-25/

L. R., & R. N. (2014). Cambridge International AS and A Level Chemistry coursebook.

Cambridge University Press.

UCCS. (n.d.). Experiment 9 Electrochemistry I- Galvanic Cell. Retrieved March 6, 2018, from
UCCS: http://catalog.uccs.edu/preview_course_nopop.php?catoid=4&coid=14030