IB

SL Chemistry DB = data booklet section

Topic 9: Redox Processes

9.1 Oxidation and Reduction

Oxidation and Reduction
Oxidation Reduction

Loss of electrons Gain of electrons

Increase in oxidation number Decrease in oxidation number

Loss of hydrogen Gain of hydrogen

Gain of oxygen Loss of oxygen

Reducing agent is oxidised (reduces Oxidising agent is reduced (oxidises
another species) another species)


OIL RIG = oxidation is loss of electrons, reduction is gain of electrons

Oxidation States and Numbers
Oxidation states represent the number of electrons lost or gained based on
electronegativity values.

Atoms in covalent bonds do not lose or gain electrons but they are assigned numbers
based on their electronegativity values.

Oxidation numbers are oxidation states expressed as a roman numeral.

Rules of oxidation states:
• The oxidation state of elements / elemental compounds is 0.
• The sum of oxidation states on all atoms within a compound = net charge on the
compound.
• Alkali metals (group 1) have an oxidation state of +1.
• Fluorine has an oxidation state of -1.
• Alkaline earth metals (group 2 + zinc) have an oxidation state of +2.
• Hydrogen has an oxidation state of +1 when bonded to a non-metal, -1 when
bonded to a metal.
• Oxygen has an oxidation state of -2, except in peroxides (O-O) where it is -1.
• Halogens have an oxidation state of -1.

IB SL Chemistry DB = data booklet section

Activity Series
The activity series ranks metals according to the ease with which they undergo
oxidation / their reactivity.

Metals at the top of the activity series are stronger reducing agents; they have a greater
tendency to undergo oxidation.

Metals at the bottom of the activity series are stronger oxidising agents; they have a
greater tendency to undergo reduction and gain electrons.

Balancing Redox Equations
(in an acidic solution)
1. Assign oxidation states to each atom.
2. Deduce which species is oxidised / reduced.
3. Write the two half equations.
4. Balance the electrons in each equation (electrons on side with higher oxidation
state: oxidation à electrons on product side, reduction à electrons on reactant
side).
5. Add H2Os and H+s appropriately to balance.
6. Check that the total charge on each side is equal.
7. Balance the equations so that each equation contains equal electrons.
8. Combine the two equations (the number of electrons in each equation should be
equal).

Winkler Method
Winkler method is used to measure biological oxygen demand (BOD).

BOD is a measure of the dissolved oxygen required to biologically decompose organic
matter in a water sample over a set time period.

Polluted water with a high BOD & without the means of replenishing oxygen will not be
able to sustain aquatic life.

Step 1: 2Mn2+ (aq) + 4OH− (aq) + O2 (aq) → 2MnO2 (s) + 2H2O (l)

Step 2: MnO2 (s) + 2I (aq) + 4H (aq) → Mn2+ (aq) + I2 (aq) + 2H2O (l)
− +

Step 3: 2S2O3 (aq) + I2 (aq) → S4O62− (aq) + 2I− (aq)
2−

mole ratios: 1 mol O2 à 2 mol I2 à 4 mol S2O32-


IB SL Chemistry DB = data booklet section

9.2 Electrochemical Cells

Electrodes
An electrode conducts electricity. It connects a half cell to an electric current.

Electrons move through the external circuit from the anode to the cathode.

Cations move from the anode to the cathode. Anions move from the cathode to the
anode.

Oxidation always takes place at the anode.

Reduction always takes place at the cathode.

Voltaic (Galvanic) Cells
Voltaic cells convert energy from spontaneous, exothermic chemical processes to
electrical energy.

The cathode is the positive electrode. The anode is the negative electrode.

Structure
Two half cells are separate – if the solutions were mixed they would react
spontaneously, but electrons would not move through the external circuit (no current).

A salt bridge provides a path for ions to travel between separated solutions. It is soaked
in a solutions whose ions are inert in the cell. These ions balance the charges that
develop in the half cells.

The metal/metal-ion electrode is a metal electrode in a solution of same-metal cations.

A voltmeter connects the external circuit.
IB SL Chemistry DB = data booklet section

• Zn is oxidised (looses electrons) and becomes Zn2+: 2Zn à Zn2+ + 2e-
• The anode looses mass as the atoms dissociate into the solution
• the electrons travel through the external circuit to the cathode
• Cu2+ gains the electrons (reduction) and becomes Cu: Cu2+ + 2e- à 2Cu
• The cathode gains mass as the Cu cations are attracted to the electrons in the
cathode.
• Zn2+ cations travel to the cathode
• Anions from the salt bridge

Cells diagrams represent a voltaic cell.
• A phase boundary between a solid and aqueous solution is
represented by a single vertical line.
• A salt bridge is represented by a double vertical line.
• The anode is on the left, cathode on the right.


Electrolytic Cells
Electrolytic cells convert electrical energy to chemical energy, by bringing about non-
spontaneous processes.

The cathode is the negative electrode. The anode is the positive electrode.

A battery is the source of electricity. The long line is the positive side. The short line is
the negative side. Electrons move from the negative to positive end (electrons repel
negativity and attract positivity).

Structure
Inert graphite electrodes are placed in a molten salt.

• Br- is oxidised at the anode (looses electrons): 2Br- à Br2 + 2e-
• The electrons travel through the external circuit to the cathode.
• Pb2+ is reduced at the cathode (gains electrons): Pb2+ + 2e- à Pb
• PbBr2 à Pb + Br2
IB SL Chemistry DB = data booklet section

Comparison of voltaic / electrolytic cells

Voltaic Cell Electrolytic Cell

cathode is positive cathode is negative

anode is negative anode is positive

exothermic spontaneous reaction endothermic non-spontaneous reaction

converts chemical energy to electrical converts electrical energy to chemical

energy energy

two separate aqueous solutions connected

molten salt
by a salt bridge and external circuit
electric current is conducted by electrons electric current is conducted by electrons
in the external circuit and ions in the salt in the external circuit and ions in the
bridge electrolyte