REDOX REACTION

REDOX
REACTION
Chemical

reactions involving
oxidation and reduction
occurring simultaneously

REDOX REACTIONS
CAN BE
EXPLAINED IN TERM
: or gain of oxygen
OF
Loss
Loss

or gain of hydrogen
Transfer of electrons
Changes in oxidation number

REDOX REACTIONS BASED ON LOSS

OR GAIN OF OXYGEN
Oxidation

:
refers to the combination (gain) of a
substance with oxygen

Reduction

:
refers to the removal (loss) of oxygen from
a substance

 Oxidizing

agent (oxidant ) :
substance that causes oxidation

Reducing

agent (reductant) :
substance that causes reduction

EXAMPLE :
Heating

of copper(II) oxide, CuO with carbon

gains oxygen(oxidation)
2CuO (s) + C (s)
2Cu (s)
+
Oxidizing
agent

Reducing
agent

loses oxygen
(reduction)

CO2 (g)

REDOX REACTIONS BASED ON LOSS OR

GAIN OF HYDROGEN
Oxidation

: loss of hydrogen
Reduction : gain of hydrogen

EXAMPLE :

reaction between hydrogen sulphide, H2S and chlorine

gains hydrogen(reduction)

H2S (g) + Cl2 (g)

Reducing Oxidizing
agent

agent

loses hydrogen
(oxidation)

S (s)

2HCl (g)

REDOX REACTIONS BASED ON

TRANSFER OF ELECTRONS

Oxidation

: loss of electrons

Reduction

: gain of electrons

EXAMPLE :

Zn (s) + Cu 2+ Zn

2+

(aq) + Cu (s)

Oxidation half equation :

Zn(s) Zn 2+ (aq) +2e (loss of electrons )
Reduction half equation :
Cu 2+ (aq) + 2e Cu(s) (gain of electrons)

REDOX REACTIONS BASED ON

CHANGES IN OXIDATION NUMBER
Oxidation

number :

Is the charge that the atom of the

element would have if complete
transfer of electrons occurs

RULES OF ASSIGNING OXIDATION

NUMBERS
1) The oxidation number of an atom in its elemental
state is zero.

For example, the oxidation number of each atom in

Mg, Cu, Na, H2, O2.

2)The oxidation number of a

monoatomic ion is equal to its charge
Ion
Oxidation
number

Na
+1

Mg 2+

Cl -

N3-

+2

-1

-3

3)The oxidation number of hydrogen in a compound

is always +1 except in metal hydrides, where it is
-1.

For example, the oxidation number of H in H2O

and NH3 is +1,
However, the oxidation number of H in sodium
hydride, NaH is -1

4) The oxidation number of oxygen in a compound

is always -2 except in peroxides.

For example, the oxidation number of O in H2O

and MgO is -2.
However, the oxidation number of O in hydrogen
peroxide, H2O2 is -1

5) The oxidation number of fluorine in all its

compounds is -1.

The oxidation number of other halogens

(chlorine, bromine and iodine) in their
compounds is -1 except when they combine with
more electronegative elements such as oxygen or
nitrogen

6) The sum of the oxidation numbers of all the

elements in the formula of a compound must be
zero.

The sum of the oxidation numbers of all the

elements in the formula of a polyatomic ion must
be equal to the charge of the ion

THE ROMAN NUMERALS REPRESENT

THE OXIDATION NUMBERS OF
ELEMENTS IN COMPOUNDS
Formula

Name

Formula

Name

FeSO4

Iron(II) sulphate

NaClO

Sodium
Chlorate(I)

Fe2(SO4)3

Iron(III) sulphate

NaClO3

Sodium
Chlorate(V)

PbO

Lead (II) Oxide

MnO2

Manganese(IV)
oxide

PbO 2

Lead(IV) Oxide

KMnO4

Potassium
manganate(VII)

OXIDATION NUMBERS IN
OXIDATION AND REDUCTION
Oxidation

:
increase in oxidation number

Reduction

:
decrease in oxidation number

EXAMPLE :

0
2Mg (s)
Reducing
agent

increase in oxidation
number (oxidation)
+

O2 (g)

+2
2MgO (s)

Oxidizing

-2

agent
0
decrease in
oxidation
number (reduction)

TYPES OF REDOX
REACTIONS
Oxidation

Reduction

Gain of oxygen

Loss of oxygen

Loss of hydrogen

Gain of hydrogen

Loss of electrons

Gain of electrons

Increase in
oxidation number

Decrease in
oxidation number