March 05, 2013

Oxidizing and Reducing

Agents

Oxidizing Agents Reducing Agents

-are reduced (gain e-) -are oxidized (lose e-)

Examples
Examples
metals
metal ions (M+) anions (N-)
non metals
acids

Not all OA's have the same

strength. Some are better
at gaining electrons. This
makes them more reactive.
(stronger)
Not all RA's have the same
strength. Some are better
at losing electrons. This
makes them more reactive.
(stronger)
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Reducing Agents

Oxidizing Agents
-are oxidized (lose e-)

Examples
metals
anions (N-)

-are reduced (gain e-)
Not all RA's have the same
strength. Some are better
at losing electrons. This
makes them more reactive.
(stronger)

Examples
metal ions (M+)
non metals
acids

Not all OA's have the same

strength. Some are better
at gaining electrons. This
makes them more reactive.
(stronger)

When an OA is reduced, it becomes an RA

Cu2+(aq) + 2e- ----> Cu(s)

OA + e- ----> RA
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Example

SO42-(aq) + 4 H+(aq) + 2e- ---> H2SO3(aq)

Is H2SO3(aq) an oxidizing agent or a reducing agent?

When a RA is oxidized it becomes an OA

Pb(s) ---> Pb2+(aq) + 2e-

RA ---> OA + e-
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Rule for Comparing OA and RA strength

If a substance is a strong OA, it is a weak RA in its

reduced form. (and vice versa)

OA + e- ---> RA

Example

Reactive metals like sodium are strong reducing agents.

Are Na+(aq) a weak or strong oxidizing agent?

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Redox Tables
A redox table is a series of reduction reactions listed with
the strongest OA at the top left

The strongest RA is on the bottom right

The reactions are reversible (can be read forward and

backwards
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Your redox table is on page 7 of the data book

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Which is a stronger OA

Br2(l) or Fe3+(aq)

SO42-(aq) and H+(aq) or Ag+(aq)

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Fe2+ can gain electrons or lose electrons (this is common in

multivalent metals)

Write the half reaction when Fe2+ is reduced.

Water can act as an OA or an RA.

Write the reaction when water acts as an RA.

Is water a weak or strong RA?

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A redox table can be used to determine if an OA

and RA will react spontaneously with each other.

Rule for Predicting Sponteneity

An OA and RA will react spontaneously with each other

if the OA is above the RA on the redox table

Identify three metals that react spontaneously with nitric acid.

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A salt solution contains Na+(aq) and Cl-(aq). Do these ions react

spontaneously with each other?

Will H2(g) react spontaneously with copper (II) ions

Will H2(g) react spontaneously with lead(II) ions

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bottom half
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