Jun Carlo Linsangan IV-Guerrero Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

Oxidation reduction reactions (or redox) reactions, are a type of reaction in aqueous solutions that involves a transfer of electrons between two species. An oxidation-reduction reaction is any chemical reaction in which the oxidation number of a molecule, atom, or ion changes by gaining or losing an e -. They occur every day and are vital to some of the basic functions of life. Some examples include photosynthesis (within plants), respiration (within animals), combustion, and corrosion or rusting. To understand these types of reactions, you must first understand oxidation numbers or states. Oxidation- is the loss of electrons or an increase in oxidation state by a molecule, atom or ion. Reduction- is the gain of electrons or a decrease in oxidation state by a molecule, atom or ion. Reducing Agent A substance that tends to bring about reduction by being oxidized and losing electrons. Oxidizing Agent A substance that tends to bring about oxidation by being reduced and gaining electrons. Oxidation Number- A number assigned to an element in chemical combination that represents the number of electrons lost (or gained, if the number is negative) by an atom of that element in the compound
Rules for Assigning Oxidation Numbers 1. The oxidation number for an atom of any free (uncombined) element is ZERO. o Examples: Na, Ca have zero oxidation number. 2. The oxidation number of an element in self-combination is always ZERO. o
Examples:

H2, O2, P4have zero oxidation number.

3. In most hydrogen containing compounds, oxidation number of hydrogen is + 1.

o (Exception is when H combines with alkali metals or alkaline earth to form hydrides of metals such as: NaH, LiH, CaH2. Then, the oxidation number of H is -1).

4. In compounds involving the alkali metals, the elements are assigned oxidation number of +1. 5. In compounds involving the alkaline earth metals, the elements are asasigned oxidation number
of +2.

6. 7.

Oxygen is

usually assigned an oxidation number of -2 for oxides. It has an oxidation number of 1 in peroxides (H2O2).
Fluorine always

has oxidation number of -1 in compounds. The other elements in that group is usually -1 in compounds with elements of low electronegativity.

8. The sum of oxidation numbers of all the atoms in the formula for a neutral compound is ZERO. 9. The sum of oxidation numbers of an ion or complex ion is the same as the charge on that ion.
10. Negative oxidation number in compounds of two unlike atoms are assigned to the more
Examples: Oxidation numbers

HCl H2O electronegative atom.

H = +1, Cl = -1 H = +1, O = -2

11. In combinations of nonmetals not involving hydrogen and oxygen, the nonmetal that is more electronegative is considered negative.
Examples: Oxidation numbers

CCl4 SF6 CS2

C = +4, Cl = -1 S = +6, F = -1 C = +4, S = -2