Redox Processes

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 Assessment

● This unit will be assessed by:

● A quiz on the SL section of the unit

● An internal assessment at the end of the unit

● A test at the end of the unit

We Are Here
 9.1
● Objectives:

● Define oxidation and reduction

● Deduce the oxidation state of an element in a compound or ion

● Deduce the names of compounds using oxidation states

● Identify the species oxidized, the species reduced, the oxidizing

agents and the reducing agent in a redox equation
 Types of Reactions
● Chemical reactions can be classified in several different
ways.
● Synthesis
● Decomposition
● Single Displacement
● Double Displacement (or Replacement)
● Combustion
 9.1
Oxidation Is Loss
Reduction Is Gain
OIL RIG

LEO the lion says GER

Loss of Electrons is Oxidation
Gain of Electrons is Reduction

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 Oxidation States (or Numbers)
● Oxidation state is the charge an atom would have if all its bonds were ionic
● It is the number of electrons an atom has gained or lost by forming bonds
● You even talk about oxidation state of covalent compounds!

● It is important as the oxidation state of an atom has a significant impact on its chemistry

● Fe(II) Fe(III)

● Cr(III) Cr(VI)

● Mn(II) Mn(VII)
● .

http://chemistry.com.pk/infographics/colours-of-transition-metal-ions-in-aqueous-solution/
 Oxidation States
In reactions involving ions

It’s easy to identify electrons transferred

But what happens in covalent compounds?

● The element which has the greatest pull on the electrons

has the most negative charge.

● Atoms within covalent compounds do not have charges.

Which atom has the most control of the shared electrons?
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 Oxidation Number
Sign
+ means atom has lost electron control
• means atom has gained electron control

Value
Number of electrons for which control has changed
Written as +2 or -3

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 9.1
● All elements have an oxidation number of 0.

● H is +1 (not 1+) in most of its compounds except when it

is joined to metal where it will have a charge of -1.

● Group 1 elements have an oxidation number of +1.

Group 2 elements have a +2 oxidation no. Al has +3.

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 Oxidation Numbers
● Oxygen has an oxidation number of -2 in compounds,
except when it is a peroxide or with fluorine e.g. hydrogen
peroxide, H2O2.
● The oxidation numbers of transition metals varies.
● The sum of all the oxidation numbers in a compound is
equal to 0.
● And for ions, it is equal to the ion’s charge.
● Fluorine is always -1 in a compound.

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 Example 1
Assign oxidation numbers to sulfur in H2SO4 and SO32-. (H =
+1, O = -2)
2H + S + 4O = 0
2(+1) + 1x + 4(-2) = 0
+2 + x - 8 = 0
x = + 8 – 2 = +6
Sulfur has an oxidation number of +6 in H2SO4
SO32-
1x +3 (-2) = -2; x = 6 – 2 = +4

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 Example 2
2Na + Cl2 → 2NaCl

What are the oxidation no. for these atoms?

2Na0 + Cl20 → 2Na+Cl-

Your turn: What is the oxidation number on the element in red?

1. CrCl3 2. Mn2O72-

3. NO31- 4. ClF

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 9.1
IUPAC names
Formula Oxidation # Name

FeO Fe +2 iron(II) oxide

Fe2O3 Fe +3 iron(III) oxide

Cu2O Cu +1 copper(I) oxide

CuO Cu +2 copper(II) oxide

MnO2 Mn +4 manganese(IV) oxide

MnO4- Mn +7 manganese(VII) ion

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 9.1

● Mg + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2

● Mg has gone from 0 to +2 . The oxidation no. has gone up -

OXIDATION.

● H has gone from +1 to 0. The oxidation number has gone

down - REDUCTION.

● Should be able to explain the changes in oxidation number in

terms of electron loss and electron gain.

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 Example
Assign oxidation numbers and deduce which substances have
been oxidized and which have been reduced

a)Ca(s) + Sn2+(aq)→ Ca2+(aq) + Sn(s)

b)4NH3 + 5O2(g)→ 4NO(g) + 6H2O(l)

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Redox Reactions
We Are Here
 Redox Reactions

● Objectives:
● Deduce simple half-equations
● Deduce redox equations using half equations
● Deduce the feasibility of a redox reaction occurring from the
activity series or reaction data
● Solve a range of redox titration problems
 Half-equations – 9.1
● Half equations show the changes to individual species in a redox
reaction.

● Fe2O3 + 2 Al → 2 Fe + Al2O3

● Fe3+ + 3 e- → Fe ….this is the reduction

● Al → Al3+ + 3 e- ….this is the oxidation

● A wide variety of half equations can be found in the data booklet

 9.1 Half Equations
● Ca + H+ → Ca2+ + H2
● Find the oxidation states.
● Ca0 + H+ → Ca2+ + H20
● Split them up.
● Ca0 →Ca2+, H+ → H20
● Balance the atoms and charges.
● Ca0 →Ca2+ + 2e, 2H+ + 2e → H20
● Ca0 + 2H+ → Ca2+ + H20

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 9.1
Half Equations
Try these:

● F2 + Br- → Br2 + F-
● Cu + Ag+→ Cu2+ + Ag

● Find which is the spectator ion

● Fe2O3 + C → Fe + CO2
Some reactions take place in acidified solutions. We must add
H2O and/or H+ to balance them in equations.
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 9.1
Oxidizing Agent
● The oxidizing agent is itself reduced.

● It causes other chemicals to be oxidized i.e. to lose electrons.

● (The travel agent makes it possible for others to go

traveling).

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This is a half equation. Change it so it shows a
half equation which is balanced.
2- 3+
Cr O → Cr
2 7
1.

2.

3.
4.
 Key Points

● Half-equations show the changes to each species in a redox

reaction

● To combine half-equations into a full equation

● Multiply each such that the electron transfers balance
● Add H2O to balance O
● Add H+ to balance H
● Add e- to balance charge
Activity Series
We Are Here
 Displacement Reactions
● Reactive metals are better reducing agents than unreactive metals.

● As such, a reactive metal can displace less reactive metals from their
compounds.

Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s)

Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)

● As a good reducing agent, the zinc reduces the Cu2+, causing it to gain
two electrons.
 METALS
Metals lose electrons which is oxidation.
Metals ‘hate’ having extra electrons – electrophobic.

● The most reactive (attractive) metals are the

ones which lose their electrons the easiest. Explain why.

● Reactive metals are good reducing agents

(reductants).
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 NONMETALS
● Nonmetals gain electrons.
● Nonmetals love electrons – Electrophilic.
● The most reactive halogens are the ones which gain electrons
the easiest. Why? Which ones?

● The more reactive halogens are good oxidizing

agents (oxidants).

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 9.1 The Activity Series

Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq)--> Cu(s) + ZnSO4(aq)

Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq)--> Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)
Displacement reaction
Reducing agent?
More reactive metal?
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 Part of Activity Series of Metal
Mg strongest reducing agent, easily oxidized

Al readily loses electrons

Zn

Fe

Pb

Cu

Ag weakest reducing agent, not easily oxidized

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 H and C are added to the activity series
All metals above H in the reactivity series displace H+
ions from dilute acids to release H2 gas

Cu is below H in the reactivity series so does not

react with dilute acids

They have been used to displace elements from their

compounds. This can be done for all metals below
C in the series.

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When we look at halogens we consider how easily they
lose electrons.
Cl
Cl2(aq) + 2KI(aq) --> 2KCl(aq) + I2(s)
Cl2(aq) + 2I-(aq) --> 2Cl- (aq) + I2(s)
Displacement Reaction
Stronger Oxidizing Agent?
Reactivity Series for Halogens
F2 strongest oxidizing agent, easily reduced
Cl2
Br2
I2 weakest oxidizing agent, not easily reduced

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Cl2(aq) + 2KI(aq) --> 2KCl(aq) + I2(s)

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http://www.frankswebspace.org.uk/ScienceAndMaths/chemistry/reactivitySeries.htm
 Key Points

● More reactive metals are better reducing agents

● More reactive non-metals are oxidising agents

● A more reactive metal will reduce (displace) ions of a less

reactive metal
Voltaic Cells
 Refresh
● Consider the following three redox reactions.

Cd(s) + Ni2+(aq) → Cd2+(aq) + Ni(s)

Ni(s) + 2Ag+(aq) → Ni2+(aq) + 2Ag(s)

Zn(s) + Cd2+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + Cd(s)

a) Deduce the order of reactivity of the four metals, cadmium, nickel,

silver and zinc and list in order of decreasing reactivity.

b) Identify the best oxidizing agent and the best reducing agent.
We Are Here – 9.2
 Voltaic Cells

● Objectives:

● Explain how voltaic cells use redox reactions to produce electricity

● State that oxidation occurs at the negative electrode (anode) and

reduction at the positive electrode (cathode)

● Distinguish between electron flow and ion flow in voltaic cells

 Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq)--> Cu(s) + ZnSO4(aq)

Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq)--> Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)

http://www.mhhe.com/physsci/chemistry/essentialchemistry/flash/galva
n5.swf
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oSqPDD2rMA 44
 Half Cells Generate Electrode Potentials
Two half reactions are separated
Electrons flow between them only through the external circuit

Electrochemical, galvanic, voltaic cell

Made by putting a strip of metal into a solution of its ions

In the Zn half cell, Zn atoms will form ions by releasing electrons

that will make the surface of the metal negatively charged with
respect to the solution.

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 Two connected half cells make a voltaic cell
The half cells are usually referred to as ELECTRODES.

The electrode where oxidation occurs is the anode and

has a negative charge
Zn(s) → Zn2+(aq) + 2e-

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 Electrode where reduction occurs is called the
cathode and has a positive charge.
Cu2+ + 2e-→ Cu(s)

The potential difference can only be generated when the

circuit is complete.
An electrical wire is connected to the metal electrode in
each half cell.

Electrons will flow from anode to cathode.

A voltmeter can be attached to record the voltage
generated.
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 A salt bridge is also needed to complete the circuit

It’s a glass tube or strip of absorptive paper that contains an aqueous

solution of ions often NaNO3 or KNO3. This enables the charge to be
carried in the opposite direction to that of the electrons.

This ion movement neutralizes any build up of charge and maintains the
potential difference.

Without the salt bridge, no voltage will be generated.

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http://www.mhhe.com/physsci/chemistry/essentialchemist
ry/flash/galvan5.swf
 Voltaic Cells
t ron Flow
Elec

- +

nF low
t ro
Elec

Anode: Cathode:
Where Where
oxidation reduction
happens happens
 Drawing a cell
● Draw and fully label a zinc/iron cell. Include:
● Labels for cathode and anode
● Labels for positive and negative
● Each half-equation
● Arrow showing direction of electron flow
 The direction of electron flow and the voltage generated
between the metals will be determined by the difference in
their reactivity.

If we changed the Cu half cell to an Ag one, more electricity

would be generated

Voltaic cell
Uses the energy of a spontaneous redox reaction
Produces an electric voltage
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 Key Points
● Voltaic cells extract electrical energy from redox reactions by
separating each half

● At the anode, the more reactive of two metals is oxidised

● At the cathode, the less reactive of two metals is reduced

Electrolytic Cells
 Refresh
A particular voltaic cell is made from magnesium and iron half-cells. The overall
equation for the reaction occurring in the cell is

Mg(s) + Fe2+(aq) → Mg2+(aq) + Fe(s)

Which statement is correct when the cell produces electricity?

A. Magnesium atoms lose electrons.
B. The mass of the iron electrode decreases.
C. Electrons flow from the iron half-cell to the magnesium half-cell.
D. Negative ions flow through the salt bridge from the magnesium half-cell to the
iron half-cell.

● For each incorrect statement, explain why it is wrong.

We Are Here
 Electrolytic Cells

Objectives:
● Explain how current is conducted in an electrolytic cell

● Identify at which electrode oxidation and reduction takes place

● Distinguish between electron flow and ion flow in an electrolytic cell

● Explain how current is conducted in electrolytic cells

● Deduce the products of electrolysis of a molten salt

An Electrolytic Cell
e- e-

X X

X X M+

M+ M

M
X- M+
M

X- X-
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 Current in electrolytic cell
Power source pushes electrons towards the negative
electrode
Electrons enter the electrolyte
They are passed through the electrolyte by ions as they
migrate to the electrodes
They are released at the positive terminal
Electrons return to the source
Electricity is conducted by the electrons in the wire and by
the ions in the electrolyte.

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The ions in the electrolyte migrate to the
electrodes
Because of the attraction of opposite
charges
Negative electrode attracts positive ions (cations)

Positive electrode attracts

negative ions (anions)

http://www.chem.iastate.edu/group/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/electroChem/electrolysis10.html

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 At the electrodes redox reactions occur

Result in ions being discharged and released as neutral

products

Negative electrode (cathode): M+ + e- → M

Positive electrode (anode): A- → A + e-

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 Opposite charges

But not opposite chemical reactions

Oxidation is always at the anode

Reduction is always at the cathode

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 Voltaic cell

Uses the energy of a spontaneous redox reaction

Produces an electric voltage

Electrolytic Cell

Uses external source of voltage, like a battery

To cause a redox reaction

That would otherwise be non-spontaneous.

External power supply

Pumps electrons into the electrolytic cell

Driving redox reactions

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Electrolysis of Molten NaCl

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Half equations?
 Overall reaction in molten NaCl
Electrolytic Cell
2NaCl(l) → 2Na(l) + Cl2(g)

Write the half reactions for the electrode reactions occurring

during electrolysis of the following molten salts:

a) KBr b) MgF2 c) ZnS

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 Key Points
● Electrolysis uses electricity to drive nonspontaneous redox
reactions

● Metal salts must be molten or dissolved so ions can move and

carry charge

● The negative cathode reduces positive metal ions

● The positive anode oxidises negative non-metal ions