Redox Notes OL

By Kamal Ahmad LGS OPF
Redox
The word redox is a combination of Reduction and oxidation.
Oxidation number or state

Charge on an atom is called oxidation number
Rules of writing oxidation number on atoms in free & combined state

Rule 1: Free Element
Oxidation number of free or uncombined element is zero
Rule 2: Fixed/common oxidation number of few elements

Fixed oxidation number of few elements in combined form
Element Oxidation number
H +1
Group I elements +1
Group II elements +2
Al +3
Group VII elements -1
O -2
By using these oxidation numbers, we can find oxidation number of other unknown elements in a
compound or ion.
Rule 3: Compound
Sum of oxidation numbers of atoms of a compound is equal to zero
e.g
Remember that oxidation no. of

atom is multiplied by subscript
By using this rule oxidation no. of an unknown element can also be found. e.g
1
Rule 4: Monoatomic ion

Oxidation no. of atom of monoatomic ion is equal to its charge
e.g
Na+1, Mg+2, Cl-1, O-2

So, in this case oxidation no. & charge is same.
Rule 5: Polyatomic ion
Sum of oxidation numbers of atoms of polyatomic ion/radical is equal to its charge
e.g
let’s put brackets around ion for ease
What is reduction and oxidation?

Reduction Oxidation
Gain of electron Loss of electron
Decrease in oxidation no. Increase in oxidation no.
Gain of H Gain of O
Loss of O Loss of H
Note: Reduction & oxidation both have above four definitions but most important definitions are first
two.
Reduction (in terms of gain of electrons)
Gain of electron or Decrease in oxidation no. is called reduction.
2
e.g
Above equations are also called half equation representing reduction. Remember electrons are on
left side of equation.
Oxidation (in terms of loss of electrons)
Loss of electron or increase in oxidation no. is called oxidation.
e.g
Above equations are also called half equation representing oxidation. Remember electrons are on
right side of equation.
Reduction & Oxidation (in terms of gain or loss of H & O)

Gain of H or loss of O is also called reduction while gain of O or loss of H is called oxidation.
e.g
2CuO + C → 2Cu + CO2
This is reduction of Cu and oxidation of C.
H2 + S → H2S
This is reduction of S.
Redox Reaction
A reaction in which reduction and oxidation both occur at same time.
3
e.g
Remember that coefficient is not

multiplied by oxidation no. of an atom
Here Na has lost electron which is oxidation. H has gained electron which is reduction. So as both
oxidation & reduction occur at same time so it is a redox reaction.
Let’s discuss another reaction
Always check oxidation
no. per single atom.
In this reaction, there is no change in oxidation no. of any element so it is not a redox reaction.
Shortcut to find either a reaction is redox or not

 If an element is present in free form (uncombined form) at one side of chemical equation and
in compound form at other side of equation then it is a redox reaction.
 Neutralization reactions (reactions of acid and alkali to produce salt) are not redox reactions.
Constructing oxidation & reduction half equations from a Redox Reaction

Or
Splitting up of a redox reaction into two oxidation & reduction reactions
Let’s take an example of a redox reaction
We can easily notice that Fe is oxidized and Br is reduced, so let’s write their oxidation and reduction
equation separately. Fe is losing 2 electrons while each Br atom is gaining 1 electron so we can write
as,
4
Oxidation half equation:
Reduction half equation:
Oxidizing Agent/Oxidant
A reactant which oxidizes the other reactant but reduces itself is called oxidizing agent or oxidant. So
oxidizing agent gains electrons during redox reaction. e.g
Cu+2 is gaining electrons from Zn so Cu+2 is oxidizing the Zn therefore Cu+2 is acting as oxidizing agent.
Reducing Agent/Reductant
A reactant which reduces the other reactant but oxidizes itself is called reducing agent or reductant.
So, reducing agent loses electrons during redox reaction. Let’s again take example of above reaction,
Zn is losing electrons so Zn is reducing the Cu+2 therefore Zn is acting as reducing agent.
5
Another example of reducing and oxidizing agent is,
Test of oxidizing agent

Add potassium iodide (KI) in a substance.
Color change = Colorless to brown
Note: This color change is due to conversion of I-1 (iodide ion) into I2 (iodine molecule). Actually,
aqueous iodine shows brown color.
(2I-1 → I2 + 2e-)
(Remember that potassium iodide is a famous “reducing agent”)
Test of reducing agent

Add acidified potassium manganate(VII), KMnO4 in a substance.
Color change = Purple to Colorless
Note: This color change is due to conversion of MnO 4-1 (Manganate ion) into MnO2 (Manganese
oxide). Actually, manganate ion has purple color while manganese oxide has no color. So main
change is shown by following equation
(MnO4-1 → MnO2)
(Remember that potassium manganate is a famous “oxidizing agent”)
Or
Add acidified potassium dichromate in a substance.
Color change = Orange to green
(Remember that potassium dichromate is another famous “oxidizing agent”)
6
Mixing potassium iodide (reducing agent) and potassium manganate (oxidizing
agent) together
Initial color of reaction mixture = purple
Final color of reaction mixture = brown

Redox Notes OL

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By Kamal Ahmad LGS OPF

Oxidation number or state

Rules of writing oxidation number on atoms in free & combined state

Rule 2: Fixed/common oxidation number of few elements

Remember that oxidation no. of

Rule 4: Monoatomic ion

Na+1, Mg+2, Cl-1, O-2

let’s put brackets around ion for ease

What is reduction and oxidation?

Reduction & Oxidation (in terms of gain or loss of H & O)

Remember that coefficient is not

Shortcut to find either a reaction is redox or not

Constructing oxidation & reduction half equations from a Redox Reaction

Reduction half equation:

Zn is losing electrons so Zn is reducing the Cu+2 therefore Zn is acting as reducing agent.

Test of oxidizing agent

Test of reducing agent

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