GCE O Level Chemistry Notes

Redox Reactions (Brief Notes)

A tip for learning this topic is to be clear about the distinctions between oxidation and reduction processes. Reduction can be approximately viewed as the opposite of oxidation. Oxidation Oxidation is defined as: 1. The gain in oxygen or the loss of hydrogen 2. The increase in oxidation state 3. The loss of electrons of a substance in a chemical reaction. Reduction is defined as: 1. The loss of oxygen or the gain in hydrogen 2. The decrease in oxidation state 3. The gain of electrons of a substance in a chemical reaction. 1. carbon + oxygen gas carbon dioxide C + O2 CO2 As carbon has gained oxygen atoms from oxygen gas molecules, carbon is being oxidized. 2. 2CO + O2 2CO2 C in CO has an oxidation no. of +2. C in CO2 has an oxidation no. of +4. Carbon has increased in oxidation number from CO to CO2. Therefore, we say that carbon monoxide has been oxidized to carbon dioxide. Note that we ignore the stoichiometry coefficients in the chemical equations in redox oxidation numbers calculations. 3. Cu Cu2+ + 2e Copper has lost 2 electrons to form copper(II) ion. Hence, we say that copper has been oxidized to copper(II) ions. 1. Cl2 + H2 2HCl Chlorine has gained hydrogen atoms to form hydrogen chloride. Hence, we say that chlorine is being reduced. 2. Br2 + H2 2HBr Bromine has an oxidation number of zero since it is an element. Br in HBr has an oxidation number of -1. Since there is a decrease in oxidation number of bromine to hydrogen bromide, we say that bromine has been reduced to hydrogen bromide. 3. Cl2 + 2e 2ClChlorine has gained two electrons to form 2 chloride ions. Hence, we say that chlorine has been reduced to chloride ions.

Reduction

Examples of oxidation reactions

Examples of reduction reactions

GCE O Level Chemistry Notes

. Redox reaction refers to both oxidation and reduction occurring in the same chemical reaction. Types of redox reaction 1. Metal + Dilute acids 2.All combustion reactions ( burning of fuels) 3. Displacement reaction. Takes place when a more reactive element displaces a less reactive ion from its solution. E.g. (a) Chlorine gas displaces iodide ions to become chloride ions and iodine, I2 molecules. (b) Zinc displaces Cu2+ ions from CuSO4 to form Zn2+ and form reddish-brown Cu metal. 4. Extraction of less reactive metals using Blast furnace. E.g. iron from iron(III) oxide by carbon monoxide The list is not exhaustive. When a substance is reduced, it acts as an oxidising agent. Also, an oxidising agent oxidizes another substance. This is usually observed as a colour change. E.g. acidified potassium dichromate(VI), acidified potassium manganate(VII), chlorine Acidified potassium dichromate (VI) Acidified potassium permanganate (VII) Reducing agent (usually colourless) CrO42- Cr3+ Orange to green

Oxidising agent (usually coloured)

Oxidation states

MnO4- Mn2+ Purple to colourless When a substance is oxidised, it acts as a reducing agent. Also, a reducing agent reduces another substance. E.g. potassium iodide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, metals (high in the reactivity series) Potassium iodide 2I I2 Colourless to brown Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2 is both a H2O2 O2 reducing and oxidising agent) You need to know how to calculate oxidation state (number) . Oxidation is the increase in oxidation number of a species. Reduction is the decrease in oxidation number of a species. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Oxidation number of an element is zero. Eg. Oxidation number of iron, carbon is zero. Oxidation number of a simple ion equals the charge of the ion, eg. Oxidation number of iron(II) ions, Fe2+, is +2. Oxygen usually has an oxidation number of -2 in compounds. Hydrogen usually has an oxidation number of +1 in compounds. SO42- ion : Oxidation number of sulfur in sulfate = +6 : +6+(-2)4 = -2 (charge on sulfate ion)