207

Chapter 12: Oxidation and Reduction.

Oxidation-­‐ reduction (redox) reactions

At different times, oxidation and reduction (redox) have had different, but
complimentary, definitions. Compare the following definitions:

Oxidation is: Reduction is:

•Gaining oxygen •Losing oxygen
•Losing hydrogen •Gaining hydrogen
•Losing electrons (+ charge increases) •Gaining electrons (+ charge decreases)

Oxidation and reduction are opposite reactions. They are also paired
reactions: in order for one to occur, the other must also occur simultaneously.

While the first two definitions of oxidation-­‐reduction are correct, the most
useful definition is the third -­‐ involving the gain or loss of electrons. I will use this
particular definition for the rest of our discussion.

How do we know whether or not an element has gained or lost electrons? To

determine which elements have been oxidized or reduced, we look at changes in the
oxidation number of the element. English scientist Michael Faraday (1791 – 1867),
one of the greatest pioneers in electrochemistry and electromagnetism of the 19th
century, developed the system of oxidation numbers to follow these kinds of
reactions. The oxidation number describes the oxidation state of the element in a
compound, and these numbers are assigned following a relatively simple set of
rules.

Rules for assigning oxidation numbers.

1. The oxidation number of an element in its elemental form is 0 (zero).

2. The oxidation number of a simple ion is equal to the charge on the ion. Both
the size and the polarity of the charge are part of the oxidation number: an
ion can have a +2 oxidation number or a -­‐2 oxidation number. The “+” and
“-­‐“ signs are just as important as the number!

3. The oxidation numbers of group 1A and 2A (group 1 and group 2) elements

are +1 and +2 respectively.

4. In compounds, the oxidation number of hydrogen is almost always +1. The

most common exception occurs when hydrogen combines with metals; in
this case the oxidation number of hydrogen is typically –1.
 208

5. In compounds, the oxidation number of oxygen is almost always –2. The

most common exception is in peroxides, when the oxidation number is –1.
Peroxides are compounds having two oxygen atoms bonded together. For
example, hydrogen peroxide is H-­‐O-­‐ O-­‐ H. In hydrogen peroxide, each oxygen
atom has a -­‐1 oxidation number. When oxygen is bonded to fluorine, as in
hypofluorous acid (HOF), the oxidation number of oxygen is 0. Oxygen-­‐
fluorine compounds are relatively rare and not too terribly important for our
studies.

6. In compounds, the oxidation number of fluorine is always –1. The oxidation

number of other halogens (Cl, Br, I) is also –1, except when they are
combined with oxygen. The oxidation number of halides (except fluorine)
combined with oxygen is typically positive. For example, in ClO-­‐, chlorine’s
oxidation number is +1.

7. For a complex ion, the sum of the positive and negative oxidation numbers of
all elements in the ion equals the charge on the ion.

8. For an electrically neutral compound, the sum of the positive and negative
oxidation numbers of all elements in the compound equals zero.

Identifying redox reactions.

Now that you can assign proper oxidation numbers to the elements in
substances, we can use changes in the oxidation numbers to identify oxidation and
reduction reactions.

Consider the following chemical equation:

Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq) → Zn+2(aq) + 2Cl-­‐(aq) + H2(g)

The oxidation number for elemental zinc is 0. The oxidation number for zinc ion is
+2. The oxidation number for hydrogen in hydrogen chloride is +1. The oxidation
number for elemental hydrogen, H2, is 0. The oxidation number for chlorine in
hydrogen chloride is –1. The oxidation number for chloride ion is –1.

Zinc has lost two electrons, and therefore developed a +2 charge. Zinc has
been oxidized – its oxidation number has become more positive (from 0 to +2).

Hydrogen has gained an electron, and its positive charge has decreased.
Hydrogen has been reduced – its oxidation number has become less positive (from
+1 to 0).

Chloride has not changed its oxidation state. It is a spectator ion in this
reaction.
 209

Figure 12.2 may be useful in deciding if an element has been oxidized or

reduced. If an elements oxidation number increases (moves towards the right), then
the element is oxidized. If an elements oxidation number decreases (moves towards
the left), then the element is reduced. NOTE: an element doesn’t have to become
positive or negative for oxidation or reduction to occur. Instead, the element has to
become more positive or more negative. A change from -­‐3 to -­‐ 1 is still oxidation,
while a change from +3 to +1 is still reduction.

Figure 12.2. Graphic description of oxidation and reduction.

Substances that cause changes in the oxidation state are called oxidizing
agents or reducing agents. An oxidizing agent causes oxidation number to occur.
How does the oxidizing agent cause oxidation?

To increase the positive oxidation number of an element, the oxidizing agent

must take one or more electrons from the element. As the element being oxidized
loses electron(s), its oxidation number becomes more positive. However, the
electrons don’t disappear! The oxidizing agent has taken these electrons, and
therefore the oxidizing agent becomes more negative – it is reduced!

In our reaction above, hydrogen in hydrogen chloride takes an electron from

the zinc metal. The zinc metal becomes more positive; it is oxidized. By taking the
electron from the zinc metal, the hydrogen in hydrogen chloride becomes less
positive; it is reduced. Hydrogen chloride is the oxidizing agent, because it contains
the element that causes oxidation to occur.

Similarly, the zinc metal donates electrons to the hydrogen in hydrogen

chloride, causing the oxidation state of hydrogen to decrease from +1 to 0. By
 210

providing the electrons necessary to reduce the oxidation number of hydrogen, the
oxidation number of zinc increases from 0 to +2; zinc is oxidized. While being
oxidized, zinc reduced the oxidation number of hydrogen. Therefore, zinc is a
reducing agent.

Oxidizing agents are substances containing the element(s) that accept

electrons, allowing another element(s) to be oxidized. By accepting electrons, the
element(s) in the oxidizing agent are reduced.

Reducing agents are substances containing the element(s) that donate

electrons, allowing another element(s) to be reduced. By donating electrons, the
element(s) in the reducing agent are oxidized.

As you can see, there is a great deal of symmetry between oxidizing and
reducing agents, and between oxidation and reduction. Whenever one process
happens, the other process MUST also happen, because we are transferring
electrons from one material to another material. Electrons must come from
someplace, and must go someplace; electrons cannot simply appear and disappear.

There are two general considerations to keep in mind when discussing

oxidizing/reducing agents. First, in most cases there will only be one element in each
agent that is oxidized or reduced. In our reaction, only hydrogen in hydrogen chloride
was reduced – the chloride wasn’t changed. Second, the oxidizing or reducing agent
is the compound containing the element that is oxidized or reduced. The reducing
agent is hydrogen chloride, not just hydrogen ion. Similarly, the oxidizing agent is the
compound containing the element that is reduced. Oxidizing and reducing agents
are ALWAYS reactants, NEVER products!

Balancing redox reactions.

We can use our knowledge of redox reactions to help us balance chemical

reactions. The simplest process to use is the half-­‐reaction method. Consider the
following chemical reaction (unbalanced):

MnO4-­‐ + C2O4-­‐2 → Mn+2 + CO2

First, we assign oxidation numbers to all elements shown in the reaction:

+7 -­‐2 +3 -­‐2 +2 +4 -­‐ 2

MnO4-­‐ + C2O4-­‐2 → Mn+2 + CO2

Comparing oxidation numbers, we see that manganese goes from +7 to +2, and has
been reduced, while carbon goes from +3 to +4 and has been oxidized. Oxygen
doesn’t change its oxidation state. The oxidizing agent is permanganate, and the
reducing agent is oxalate.
 The half-­‐reaction method involves balancing the oxidation reaction as if it
were an isolated reaction. Then the reduction half-­‐reaction is balanced as if it were
an isolated reaction. Finally, the two half-­‐ reactions are combined.

The oxidation half-­‐ reaction is:

C2O4-­‐2 → CO2

The first step is to balance elements, other than oxygen and hydrogen, using
the normal methods of balancing chemical equations. We have two carbons in
oxalate, so we need a 2 in front of carbon dioxide to balance the carbons:

C2O4-­‐2 → 2CO2

By comparing reactants and products, we see that we have the same number
of carbon and oxygen atoms on each side of the reaction. There aren’t any other
elements present, so we don’t need to change any more coefficients.

Charge balance requires that the net charge of reactants and products must
be equal. We equalize the charges by adding 2 electrons to the products side:

C2O4-­‐2 → 2CO2 + 2e-­‐

All elements are identical on both sides, the number of atoms of each element
is the same on both sides, and the total charge is the same on both sides: -­‐ 2 for
oxalate and -­‐ 2 for the two electrons. This is a balanced oxidation half-­‐ reaction.

The reduction half-­‐ reaction is:

MnO4-­‐ → Mn+2

The manganese atoms are balanced, but what are we to do about oxygen? To
balance oxygen, we add water molecules. Four oxygen atoms in permanganate
require four water molecules as products:

MnO4-­‐ → Mn+2 + 4H2O

Adding water molecules balanced oxygen, but now we have hydrogen atoms.
We balance 8 hydrogen atoms from 4 water molecules by adding 8 hydrogen ions to
the reaction:
8H+ + MnO4-­‐ → Mn+2 + 4H2O
 Now we have the same number and kinds of atoms on both sides. However,
charge balance requires that the net charge of reactants and products must be equal.
We have a net electrical charge of +7 for the reactants, and a net electrical charge of
+2 for the products. We add 5 electrons to the reactant side of the equation:

8H+ + MnO4-­‐ + 5e-­‐ → Mn+2 + 4H2O

This is a balanced reduction half-­‐reaction. (NOTE: in an oxidation half-­‐

reaction, electrons are produced, while in a reduction half-­‐reaction, electrons are
consumed.)

We are ready to combine the two half-­‐reactions. To combine these reactions,

the same number of electrons must be produced as are consumed. When different
numbers of electrons are produced and consumed, you need to find the least
common multiple. Since 5 electrons are consumed in the reduction reaction, and 2
electrons are produced in the oxidation reaction, the least common multiple is 10.
We need to multiply the reduction reaction by 2, and the oxidation reaction by 5:

16H+ + 2MnO4-­‐ + 10e-­‐ → 2Mn+2 + 8H2O

5C2O4-­‐2 → 10CO2 + 10e-­‐

Now that we have the same number of electrons produced and consumed,
and we can add the reactions:

16H+ + 2MnO4-­‐ + 10e-­‐ + 5C2O4-­‐2 → 2Mn+2 + 8H2O + 10CO2 + 10e-­‐

We eliminate substances that are identical on both sides of the equation:

16H+ + 2MnO4-­‐ + 5C2O4-­‐2 → 2Mn+2 + 8H2O + 10CO2

Finally, we check the equation to insure that mass and charge balance have
been achieved.

Reactants Products
16 H 16 H
2 Mn 2 Mn
28 O 28 O
10 C 10 C
+4 +4
 213

This is an example of balancing a redox reaction in acid solution, by the half-­‐

reaction method. We can also balance the reaction in basic solution. The initial work
is the same as shown above. Once the reaction is balanced in acid solution, we
neutralize hydrogen ion by adding an equal number of hydroxide ions to both sides
of the reaction:

16OH-­‐ + 16H+ + 2MnO4-­‐ + 5C2O4-­‐2 → 2Mn+2 + 8H2O + 10CO2 + 16OH-­‐

Hydroxide ion combines with hydrogen ion, forming water molecules, and
we eliminate equal numbers of water molecules from both sides of the equation:

16H2O + 2MnO4-­‐ + 5C2O4-­‐2 → 2Mn+2 + 8H2O + 10CO2 + 16 OH-­‐

8H2O + 2MnO4-­‐ + 5C2O4-­‐2 → 2Mn+2 + 10CO2 + 16OH-­‐

Finally, we check to insure mass and charge balance.

Reactants Products
16 H 16 H
2 Mn 2 Mn
36 O 36 O
10 C 10 C
-­‐ 12 -­‐ 12
 214

Vocabulary. The following terms are defined and explained in the text. Make sure
that you are familiar with the meanings of the terms as used in chemistry.
Understand that you may have been given incomplete or mistaken meanings for
these terms in earlier courses. The meanings given in the text are correct and
proper.

Oxidation Reduction Oxidation

number Oxidizing agent Reducing agent

Assign correct oxidation numbers to all elements in the following substances.

1. H2S

2. BaO

3. P2O5

4. Cr2O7-­‐2

5. CH2O

6. HBr

7. Fe(NO3)3

8. CO

9. HOCl

10. H2SO4

In the following reactions, identify the oxidizing agent and reducing agent.

1. Fe + Ni(NO3)2 → Fe(NO3)2 + Ni

2. Cu + 4HNO3 → Cu(NO3)2 + 2H2O + 2NO2

3. CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O

4. C2H4 + H2 → C2H6

5. H2SO4 + 2NaOH → 2Na+ + SO4-­‐2 + 2H2O

 215

Use the half-­‐ reaction method and balance the following equations under the listed
conditions.

1. CN-­‐ + MnO4-­‐ → CNO-­‐ + MnO2 (basic solution)

2. Cr2O7-­‐2 + I-­‐ → Cr+3 + IO3-­‐ (acidic solution)

3. MnO4-­‐ + CH3OH → Mn+2 + HCO2H (acidic solution)

4. As + ClO3-­‐ → H3AsO3 + HClO (acidic solution)

5. H2O2 + ClO2 → ClO2-­‐ + O2 (basic solution)

 216

Answers:

Assigning oxidation numbers.

1. The oxidation number of hydrogen is +1. Since there are 2 hydrogen atoms
in the compound, and no net electrical charge is shown, the oxidation
number of sulfur must be –2:

+1 -­‐2
H2S

2. The oxidation number of oxygen is –2. With no net electrical charge shown,
the oxidation number of barium is +2. (Note: barium is a group IIA (2)
element, and by rule 3 would have an oxidation number of +2.)

3. The oxidation number of oxygen is –2. There is no net electrical charge

shown. Five oxygen atoms produce a total negative oxidation state of –10.
There must be a total of +10 oxidation numbers on phosphorous. With two
phosphorous atoms, we assign an oxidation number of +5 to each
phosphorous.

4. The oxidation number of oxygen is –2. For seven oxygen atoms, this
produces a total of –14. There is a -­‐ 2 charge shown for the ion; therefore two
of the –14 oxidation numbers are assigned to the charge. This leaves –12,
which must be balanced by the positive oxidation state of chromium. With
two chromium atoms in the ion, we assign each an oxidation number of +6.

5. The oxidation number of oxygen is –2. The oxidation number of hydrogen is

+1. Since the total positive oxidation state (2 x +1) exactly balances the total
negative oxidation state, the oxidation state of carbon must be zero (0).

NOTE: while the oxidation state of elements in their elemental form must be
zero, it is also possible for an element to have a zero oxidation state when
combined in a compound.

6. The oxidation number of hydrogen is +1, while that of bromine is –1.

7. It is important (and easiest) if you recognize this as an ionic compound

composed of the simple ion Fe+3, and the polyatomic anion NO3-­‐.

The oxidation number of the iron is equal to its charge, +3. In the polyatomic
anion, the oxidation number of each oxygen atom is –2, for a total of –6. One
of these negative oxidation numbers is the charge on the ion, -­‐ 1. Therefore,
 217

there are five negative oxidation numbers to be balanced by the positive

oxidation number of nitrogen, which must have a value of +5.

8. The oxidation state of oxygen is –2, therefore carbon must be +2.

9. The oxidation state of hydrogen is +1. The oxidation state of oxygen is –2,
therefore the oxidation state of chlorine must be +1.

10. The oxidation state of hydrogen is +1. The oxidation state of oxygen is –2.
Four oxygen atoms result in a total of –8, while two hydrogen atoms produce
a total of +2. With no net charge shown, the oxidation state of sulfur must be
+6.

Identifying oxidizing and reducing agents.

1. Elemental iron has an oxidation number of 0. The oxidation number of iron in

iron(II) nitrate is +2. The oxidation number of nickel in nickel(II) nitrate is +2.
The oxidation number of elemental nickel is 0. The oxidation numbers of
nitrogen and oxygen don’t change; nitrogen is +5 and oxygen is -­‐2. Therefore,
iron is oxidized (it is the reducing agent), while nickel ion is reduced (nickel(II)
nitrate is the oxidizing agent).

2. Elemental copper has an oxidation number of 0. The copper in copper(II)

nitrate has an oxidation number of +2. The oxidation number of hydrogen in all
compounds shown is +1 (it did not change). The oxidation number of oxygen in
all compounds shown is –2 (it also has not changed). The oxidation number of
nitrogen in the nitric acid is +5. The oxidation number of nitrogen in the
copper(II) nitrate is also +5. However, the oxidation number of nitrogen in
nitrogen dioxide is +4. Therefore, copper has lost electrons and been oxidized (it
is the reducing agent). The nitrogen in nitric acid has gained electrons and has
been reduced (nitric acid is oxidizing agent).

3. The oxidation number of carbon in methane (CH4) is –4, while its oxidation
number in carbon dioxide is +4. The oxidation number of hydrogen in all
compounds is +1. The oxidation number of oxygen in its elemental form is 0,
while its value in carbon dioxide and water is –2. Therefore, carbon has been
oxidized, and methane is the reducing agent. Oxygen has been reduced, and it is
the oxidation agent.

4. The oxidation number of carbon in ethene (C2H4) is –2, while in ethane (C2H6)
carbon has an oxidation number of –3. The oxidation number of hydrogen in
ethene and ethane is +1. The oxidation number of elemental hydrogen is 0.
Therefore, carbon in ethene has been reduced, and ethene is the oxidizing
agent. Elemental hydrogen has been oxidized, and it is the reducing agent.
 218

5. No element changed its oxidation number in this reaction. Nothing has been
oxidized, and nothing has been reduced. This is not a redox reaction.
 219

Balancing reactions by half reaction method.

1. CN-­‐ + MnO4-­‐ → CNO-­‐ + MnO2 (basic solution)

a. CN-­‐ → CNO-­‐ oxidation reaction

b. H2O + CN-­‐ → CNO-­‐ balance O with water

c. H2O + CN-­‐ → CNO-­‐ + 2H+ balance H with H+

d. H2O + CN-­‐ → CNO-­‐ + 2H+ + 2e-­‐ balance charge with e-­‐

e. MnO4-­‐ → MnO2 reduction reaction

f. MnO4-­‐ → MnO2 + 2H2O balance O with water

g. 4H+ + MnO4-­‐ → MnO2 + 2H2O balance H with H+

h. 4H+ + MnO4-­‐ + 3e-­‐ → MnO2 + 2H2O balance charge with e-­‐

i. multiply “d” x 3: multiply “h” x 2

3H2O + 3CN-­‐ → 3CNO-­‐ + 6H+ + 6e-­‐

8H+ + 2MnO4-­‐ + 6e-­‐ → 2MnO2 + 4H2O

j. add two equations together

3H2O + 3CN-­‐ + 8H+ + 2MnO4-­‐ + 6e-­‐

→ 3CNO-­‐ + 6H+ + 6e-­‐ +2MnO2 + 4H2O

k. cancel common substances on both sides

3CN-­‐ + 2H+ + 2MnO4-­‐ → 3CNO-­‐ + 2MnO2 + H2O

l. add OH-­‐ to both sides to neutralize H+

3CN-­‐ + 2H+ + 2OH-­‐ + 2MnO4-­‐

→ 3CNO-­‐ + 2MnO2 + H2O + 2OH-­‐

m. combine H+ with OH-­‐, cancel out waters.

3CN-­‐ + H2O + 2MnO4-­‐ → 3CNO-­‐ + 2MnO2 + 2OH-­‐

n. check reactants/products for mass/charge balance

 Reactants Products
C 3 3
N 3 3
H 2 2
O 9 9
Mn 2 2
Charge -­‐ 5 -­‐ 5

2. Cr2O7-­‐2 + I-­‐ → Cr+3 + IO3-­‐ (acidic solution)

a. Cr2O7-­‐2 → Cr+3 reduction reaction

b. Cr2O7-­‐2 → 2Cr+3 balance Cr

c. Cr2O7-­‐2 → 2Cr+3 + 7H2O balance O with water

d. Cr2O7-­‐2 + 14H+ → 2Cr+3 + 7H2O balance H with H+

e with e-­‐
.
C f. I-­‐ → IO3-­‐ oxidation reaction
r
2 g. I-­‐ + 3H2O → IO3-­‐ balance O with water
O
7-
­‐2
h. I-­‐ + 3H2O → IO3-­‐ + 6H+ balance H with H+
+
i. I-­‐ + 3H2O → IO3-­‐ + 6H+ + 6e-­‐ balance charge with e-­‐
1
4 j. Add “e” and “i” together
H
+ Cr2O7-­‐2 + 14H+ + 6e-­‐ + I-­‐ + 3H2O
+ → 2Cr+3 + 7H2O + IO3-­‐ + 6H+ + 6e-­‐

6 k. cancel common substances on both sides of equation

e-
­‐ Cr2O7-­‐2 + 8H+ + I-­‐ → 2Cr+3 + 4H2O + IO3-­‐

2
C
r
+3

7
H
2
O

b
a
l
a
n
c
e

c
h
a
r
g
e
 l. check reactants/products for mass/charge balance

Reactants Products
Cr 2 2
O 7 7
H 8 8
I 1 1
Charge +5 +5

3. MnO4-­‐ + CH3OH → Mn+2 + HCO2H (acidic solution)

a, MnO4-­‐ → Mn+2 reduction reaction

b. MnO4-­‐ → Mn+2 + 4H2O balance O with water

c. 8H+ + MnO4-­‐ → Mn+2 + 4H2O balance H with H+

d. 8H+ + 5e-­‐ + MnO4-­‐ → Mn+2 + 4H2O balance charge with e-­‐

e. CH3OH → HCO2H oxidation reaction

f. H2O + CH3OH → HCO2H balance O with water

g. H2O + CH3OH → HCO2H + 4H+ balance H with H+

h. H2O + CH3OH → HCO2H + 4H+ + 4e-­‐ balance charge with e-­‐

i. multiply “d” by 4, multiply “h” by 5

32H+ + 20e-­‐ + 4MnO4-­‐ → 4Mn+2 + 16H2O

5H2O + 5CH3OH → 5HCO2H + 20H+ + 20e-­‐

j. add two equations together

32H+ + 20e-­‐ + 4MnO4-­‐ + 5H2O + 5CH3OH

→ 4Mn+2 + 16H2O + 5HCO2H + 20H+ + 20e-­‐

k. cancel out common substances on both sides of equation

1 + 5HCO2H
2
H
+

4
M
n
O
4
-
­
‐

5
C
H
3
O
H

4
M
n
+
2

1
1
H
2
O
 l. check reactants/products for mass/charge balance

Reactants Products
H 32 32
Mn 4 4
O 21 21
C 5 5
Charge +8 +8

4. As + ClO3-­‐ → H3AsO3 + HClO (acidic solution)

a. As → H3AsO3 oxidation reaction

b. 3H2O + As → H3AsO3 balance O with water

c. 3H2O + As → H3AsO3 + 3H+ balance H with H+

d. 3H2O + As → H3AsO3 + 3H+ + 3e-­‐ balance charge with e-­‐

e. ClO3-­‐ → HClO reduction reaction

f. ClO3-­‐ → HClO + 2H2O balance O with water

g. 5H+ + ClO3-­‐ → HClO + 2H2O balance H with H+

h. 5H+ + 4e-­‐ + ClO3-­‐ → HClO + 2H2O balance charge with e-­‐

i. multiply “d” by 4, multiply “h” by 3

12H2O + 4As → 4H3AsO3 + 12H+ + 12e-­‐

15H+ + 12e-­‐ + 3ClO3-­‐ → 3HClO + 6H2O
j. + 12e-­‐ + 3ClO3-­‐
a → 4H3AsO3 + 12H+ + 12e-­‐ + 3HClO + 6H2O
d
d k. cancel out common substances on both sides of equation
t
w 6H2O + 4As + 3H+ + 3ClO3-­‐ → 4H3AsO3 + 3HClO
o
e
q
u
a
ti
o
n
s
t
o
g
e
t
h
e
r

1
2
H
2
O

4
A
s

1
5
H
+
 223

l. check reactants/products for mass/charge balance

Reactants Products
H 15 15
O 15 15
As 4 4
Cl 3 3
Charge 0 0

5. H2O2 + ClO2 → ClO2-­‐ + O2 (basic solution)

a, ClO2 → ClO2-­‐ reduction equation

b. e-­‐ + ClO2 → ClO2-­‐ balance charge with e-­‐

c. H2O2 → O2 oxidation reaction

d. H2O2 → O2 + 2H+ balance H with H+

e. H2O2 → O2 + 2H+ + 2e-­‐ balance charge with e-­‐

f. multiply “b” by 2 and add to “e”

2e-­‐ + 2ClO2 + H2O2 → 2ClO2-­‐ + O2 + 2H+ + 2e-­‐

g. cancel out common substances on both sides of equation

2ClO2 + H2O2 → 2ClO2-­‐ + O2 + 2H+

h. add OH-­‐ to both sides to neutralize H+

2ClO2 + H2O2 + 2OH-­‐ → 2ClO2-­‐ + O2 + 2H+ + 2OH-­‐

2ClO2 + H2O2 + 2OH-­‐ → 2ClO2-­‐ + O2 + 2H2O

i. check reactants/products for mass/charge balance

Reactants Products
Cl 2 2
O 8 8
H 4 4
Charge -­‐2 -­‐ 2