Balancing Redox Reactions

It can be very difficult to balance redox reactions by inspection. Oxidation number method Determine the net increase in oxidation number for the element that is oxidized and the net decrease in oxidation number for the element that is reduced. Make the number of electrons lost (in oxidation) equal to the number of electrons gained (reduction). Add coefficients (usually placed on the reactant side) to the formulas so as to obtain the correct ratio of the atoms whose oxidation numbers are changing. Balance the rest of the equation by inspection.
19 May 2013

Balancing Redox Reactions

Examples: HNO3(aq) + H3AsO3(aq) NO(g) + H3AsO4(aq) + H2O(l)

3 Cu(s) + 8 HNO3(aq) 3 Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2 NO(g) + 4 H2O(l) Because some of the nitrogen atoms are changing and some are not, we need to be careful to put the coefficient in front of a formula in which all of the nitrogen atoms are changing or have changed !
19 May 2013

Balancing Redox Reactions

Half-reaction method (acidic condition) Write the skeletons of the oxidation and reduction half-reactions.

Balance all elements other than H and O.

Balance the oxygen atoms by adding H2O molecules where needed.

19 May 2013

Balancing Redox Reactions

Half-reaction method (continued) Balance the hydrogen atoms by adding H+ ions where needed. Balance the charge by adding electrons, e-. Make the number of electrons gained equal to the number of electrons lost. Add the 2 half-reactions.

19 May 2013

Balancing Redox Reactions

Examples Cr2O72(aq) + HNO2(aq) Cr3+(aq) + NO3(aq)

MnO4-(aq) +

Cl- (aq)

Mn2+(aq) +

Cl2(g)

19 May 2013

Learning check
Use the oxidation number method

N 2H 4 + NO2 + HClO4 +

H 2 O2 H2O

HNO3 + HNO3 + H2O NO

H2O

ClO2 +

HClO3 PbO + Cl2 + NaSbO2 + KCl + H2O H2O H2O + HC3H5O2

PbO2 + Sb + KMnO4 + C3H7OH +

NaOH

HCl

MnCl2 +

Na2Cr2O7 + H2SO4 Cr2(SO4)3 + Na2SO4 +

19 May 2013

Balancing Redox Reactions

Half-reaction method (basic condition) Begin by balancing the equation as if it were in acid solution. Add enough OH ions to each side to cancel the H+ ions. Be sure to add the OH ions to both sides to keep the charge and atoms balanced.) Combine the H+ ions and OH ions that are on the same side of the equation to form water. Cancel or combine the H2O molecules.

19 May 2013

Balancing Redox Reactions

Examples Al + OH - AlO2 - + H2

Cr(OH)3(s) + ClO3(aq) CrO42(aq) + Cl(aq) (basic)

19 May 2013

Learning check
Acidic conditions SO42- + ClO3 - + MnO4 - + Br2 Cl - S2O32- + Cl2 + BrO3-

ClO2 Mn 2+

S2O3 2-

S4O6 2- +

Basic conditions MnO4 - + C2O4 2- MnO2 + CO2 Cu + NH3

Cu(NH3)4 2+ + Zn + NO3 -

S2O4 2-

SO3 2- + NH3

Zn(OH)4 2- +

19 May 2013