Chem-Eng-Module-2 Balancing Redox Reactions
Chem-Eng-Module-2 Balancing Redox Reactions
V. LESSON CONTENT
A. BRIEF REVIEW
Based from the previous module, you have learned that we can determine whether a chemical reaction is a
oxidation reduction (redox) reaction based on the oxidation numbers of elements involved in the reaction. In any
redox reaction, both oxidation and reduction must occur. If one substance is oxidized, another must be reduced.
Example:
−
𝐻2 𝑂(𝑙) + 𝐴𝑙(𝑠) + 𝑀𝑛𝑂4(𝑎𝑞) → 𝐴𝑙(𝑂𝐻)−
4(𝑎𝑞) + 𝑀𝑛𝑂2(𝑠)
Note: Letter subscripts in chemical reactions denote the state/phase of various compounds/element involved. We
may opt not to write the states in balancing.
s – solid
l – liquid
g – gas
aq – aqueous solution
Again, to determine whether it is a redox reaction and to know the OA and RA, we need to determine the
oxidation numbers of each element based from the set of rules discussed in Module 1.
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−
𝐻2 𝑂(𝑙) + 𝐴𝑙(𝑠) + 𝑀𝑛𝑂4(𝑎𝑞) → 𝐴𝑙(𝑂𝐻)−
4(𝑎𝑞) + 𝑀𝑛𝑂2(𝑠)
+1 -2 0 +7 -2 +3 -2 +1 +4 -2
The substance that underwent oxidation or the reducing agent is Al. Meanwhile, MnO4- underwent reduction or is
the oxidizing agent.
Whenever we balance a chemical equation, we must obey the law of conservation of mass.
The law of conservation of mass states that during a chemical reaction, mass cannot be created nor destroyed.
Total mass of reactants must be equal to the total mass of products.
This is also true for redox reactions, however, there is an additional requirement. The gains and losses of electrons
must be balanced as well. If a substance loses a certain number of electrons during a reaction, another substance
must gain that same number of electrons.
1. HALF REACTIONS
Although oxidation and reduction must take place simultaneously, it is often convenient to consider them as
separate processes. For example, the oxidation of Sn2+ by Fe3+,
Take note that electrons are shown as products in the oxidation and as reactants in the reduction process.
In the overall redox reaction, the number of electrons lost in the oxidation half-reaction must equal the
number of electrons gained in the reduction half-reaction. When this condition is met and each half-reaction is
balanced, the electrons on the two sides cancel when the two half-reactions are added to give the balanced
oxidation-reduction equation.
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INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.:IM-CHEMENG-1STSEM-2020-2021
In balancing a redox reaction that occurs in acidic aqueous solution, the procedure is as follows: (oxidation
numbers should be determined first)
1. Divide the equation into two half reactions (Oxidation Half Reaction (OHR) and Reduction Half Reaction
(RHR))
2. Balance each half reaction
a. First, balance elements other than H and O.
b. Next, balance O by adding H2O as needed.
c. Then, balance H by adding H+ as needed.
d. Lastly, balance charge by adding electrons as needed.
3. Multiply half reactions by integers to balance the number of electrons in OHR and RHR
4. Add the two half reactions. Cancel species appearing both sides.
5. Check to make sure atoms and charges are balanced.
Sounds overwhelming? Let’s take a look at this example to help you understand the concept more.
Example 1:
Consider the reaction between permanganate ion (MnO4-) and oxalate ion (C2O42-) in acidic aqueous
solution based on the next figure. When MnO4- is added to an acidified C2O42-, the deep purple color of
the MnO4- ion fades, bubbles of CO2 form, and the solution takes on the pale pink color of Mn2+.
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INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.:IM-CHEMENG-1STSEM-2020-2021
Before we proceed with the balancing, we should determine the oxidation numbers
To complete and balance the redox equation, we first write the two half-reactions (Step 1). One half-reaction must
have Mn on both sides of the arrow, and the other must have C on both sides of the arrow:
Based from the change in oxidation numbers, 𝑀𝑛𝑂4 − underwent oxidation and 𝐶2 𝑂4 2− underwent reduction.
𝑀𝑛𝑂4 − → 𝑀𝑛2+
Upon inspection, we have one Mn on each side of the reaction, so its is already balanced.
Step 2b. We then balance the oxygen. Since there are 4 oxygen atoms on the reactant side, we need to add 4 H 2O
molecules on the product side.
𝑀𝑛𝑂4 − → 𝑀𝑛2+ + 4𝐻2 𝑂
Step 2c. We balance hydrogen. There are 8 hydrogen atoms in the product side, so we need to add 8 H + on the
reactant side.
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Step 2d. There are now equal numbers of each type of atom on the two sides of the equation, but the charge still
needs to be balanced. The charge of the reactants is −1 + 8(+1) = +7 and that of the products is +2 + 4(0) =
+2 . To balance the charge, we add five (5) electrons to the reactant side. Electrons are negative and symbolized
by e-.
Step 2a. Balance all atoms except H and O. There are 2 carbon atoms in the right and one on the left. To balance,
we add the coefficient 2 to CO2.
𝐶2 𝑂4 2− → 2𝐶𝑂2
Step 2b. Balance O by adding H2O. Since there 4 O atoms in the reactant side and 4 atoms on the product side
(coefficient 2 x subscript 2), no need to add H2O.
𝐶2 𝑂4 2− → 2𝐶𝑂2
Step 2c. Since there are no H atoms to balance, we retain the equation.
𝐶2 𝑂4 2− → 2𝐶𝑂2
Step 2d. The charge on the reactant side is -2 and 0 for the product side. Therefore, we need to add two (2) electrons
on the product side.
𝐶2 𝑂4 2− → 2𝐶𝑂2 + 2𝑒 −
Step 3. Now we multiply each half-reaction by an appropriate integer so that the number of electrons gained in one
half-reaction equals the number of electrons lost in the other. We multiply the OHR by 2 and the RHR by 5.
(𝐶2 𝑂4 2− → 2𝐶𝑂2 + 2𝑒 − ) 5
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Since our goal in Step 3 is to have equal number of electrons gained and lost, we can cancel the e- in the equation.
The equation above is the balanced redox reaction for the reaction of permanganate ion and oxalate ion.
Example 2:
Complete and balance this equation in acidic solution by the method of half-reactions:
Before we proceed with the balancing, we should determine the oxidation numbers
Steps in balancing are tabulated below to see how half reactions are balanced simultaneously.
OHR RHR
−
Step 1 𝐶𝑙 → 𝐶𝑙2 𝐶𝑟2 𝑂7 2− → 𝐶𝑟 3+
Step 2a 2𝐶𝑙 − → 𝐶𝑙2 𝐶𝑟2 𝑂7 2− → 2𝐶𝑟 3+
Step 2b 𝐶𝑟2 𝑂7 2− → 2𝐶𝑟 3+ + 7𝐻2 𝑂
Step 2c 𝐶𝑟2 𝑂7 2− + 14𝐻 + → 2𝐶𝑟 3+ + 7𝐻2 𝑂
Step 2d 2𝐶𝑙 − → 𝐶𝑙2 + 2𝑒 − 𝐶𝑟2 𝑂7 2− + 14𝐻 + + 6𝑒 − → 2𝐶𝑟 3+ + 7𝐻2 𝑂
Step 3 (2𝐶𝑙 − → 𝐶𝑙2 + 2𝑒 − ) 3 (𝐶𝑟2 𝑂7 2− + 14𝐻 + + 6𝑒 − → 2𝐶𝑟 3+ + 7𝐻2 𝑂) 1
Step 4:
6𝐶𝑙 − → 3𝐶𝑙2 + 6𝑒 −
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INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
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Step 5: Check!
Cl – 6
Cr – 2
O–7
H – 14
Charge - +6 (see equation below)
If a redox reaction occurs in basic solution, one approach is to balance the half-reactions as they occurred in
acidic solutions and then count the number of H+ in each half-reaction and add the same number of to each side of
the half-reaction. In essence, what you are doing is “neutralizing” the protons to form water (𝑯+ + 𝑶𝑯− → 𝑯𝟐 𝑶)
on the side containing H+, and the other side ends up with the OH-. The resulting water molecules can be canceled
as needed.
OHR RHR
−
Step 1 𝐴𝑙 → 𝐴𝑙(𝑂𝐻 )4 𝑁𝑂2 − → 𝑁𝐻3
−
Step 2a 𝐴𝑙 → 𝐴𝑙(𝑂𝐻 )4 𝑁𝑂2 − → 𝑁𝐻3
−
Step 2b 𝐴𝑙 + 4𝐻2 𝑂 → 𝐴𝑙 (𝑂𝐻 )4 𝑁𝑂2 − → 𝑁𝐻3 + 2𝐻2 𝑂
−
Step 2c 𝐴𝑙 + 4𝐻2 𝑂 → 𝐴𝑙 (𝑂𝐻 )4 + 4𝐻 + 𝑁𝑂2 − + 7𝐻 + → 𝑁𝐻3 + 2𝐻2 𝑂
−
Step 2d 𝐴𝑙 + 4𝐻2 𝑂 → 𝐴𝑙 (𝑂𝐻 )4 + 4𝐻 + + 3𝑒 − 𝑁𝑂2 − + 7𝐻 + + 6𝑒 − → 𝑁𝐻3 + 2𝐻2 𝑂
−
Step 3 (𝐴𝑙 + 4𝐻2 𝑂 → 𝐴𝑙 (𝑂𝐻 )4 + 4𝐻 + + 3𝑒 −) 2 (𝑁𝑂2 − + 7𝐻 + + 6𝑒 − → 𝑁𝐻3 + 2𝐻2 𝑂) 1
−
2𝐴𝑙 + 8𝐻2 𝑂 → 2𝐴𝑙 (𝑂𝐻)4 + 8𝐻 + + 6𝑒 −
+
𝑁𝑂2 − + 7𝐻 + + 6𝑒 − → 𝑁𝐻3 + 2𝐻2 𝑂
−
2𝐴𝑙 + 8𝐻2 𝑂 + 𝑁𝑂2 − + 7𝐻 + → 2𝐴𝑙 (𝑂𝐻 )4 + 8𝐻 + + 𝑁𝐻3 + 2𝐻2 𝑂
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INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
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Notice that on both sides on the redox equation, H + and H2O are present. If this happens, we can subtract/cancel
them.
−
2𝐴𝑙 + 8𝐻2 𝑂 + 𝑁𝑂2 − + 7𝐻 + → 2𝐴𝑙 (𝑂𝐻 )4 + 8𝐻 + + 𝑁𝐻3 + 2𝐻2 𝑂
There are 8 H2O on the reactant side and 2 on the product, thus 8 – 2 = 6, these will be on the reactant side.
There are 8 H+ on the product side and 7 on the reactant side, thus, only 1 H+ atom will remain in the product side.
−
2𝐴𝑙 + 8𝐻2 𝑂 + 𝑁𝑂2 − + 7𝐻 + → 2𝐴𝑙 (𝑂𝐻 )4 + 8𝐻 + + 𝑁𝐻3 + 2𝐻2 𝑂
−
2𝐴𝑙 + 6𝐻2 𝑂 + 𝑁𝑂2 − → 2𝐴𝑙 (𝑂𝐻 )4 + 𝐻 + + 𝑁𝐻3
Step 4b. For basic medium, before proceeding to step 5, we must add OH- on both sides of the equation. Number
of OH- will be based on the number of H+ molecules. In this case, we add 1 OH- on each side
−
2𝐴𝑙 + 6𝐻2 𝑂 + 𝑁𝑂2 − + 𝑂𝐻 − → 2𝐴𝑙 (𝑂𝐻 )4 + 𝑁𝐻3 + 𝑯+ + 𝑶𝑯−
−
2𝐴𝑙 + 6𝐻2 𝑂 + 𝑁𝑂2 − + 𝑂𝐻 − → 2𝐴𝑙 (𝑂𝐻 )4 + 𝐻2 𝑂 + 𝑁𝐻3
We can subtract the H2O in the product side from the 6 in the reactant side, thus, we shall have this equation
−
𝟐𝑨𝒍 + 𝟓𝑯𝟐 𝑶 + 𝑵𝑶𝟐 − + 𝑶𝑯− → 𝟐𝑨𝒍(𝑶𝑯)𝟒 + 𝑵𝑯𝟑
Step 5: Check!
Al – 2
H – 11
O–8
N–1
Charge – (-2)
Example 2: Complete and balance this equation for a redox reaction that takes place in basic solution.
OHR RHR
Step 1 𝐶𝑁 → 𝐶𝑁𝑂− −
𝑀𝑛𝑂4 − → 𝑀𝑛𝑂2
Step 2a 𝐶𝑁 − → 𝐶𝑁𝑂− 𝑀𝑛𝑂4 − → 𝑀𝑛𝑂2
Step 2b 𝐶𝑁 − + 𝐻2 𝑂 → 𝐶𝑁𝑂− 𝑀𝑛𝑂4 − → 𝑀𝑛𝑂2 + 2𝐻2 𝑂
Step 2c 𝐶𝑁 − + 𝐻2 𝑂 → 𝐶𝑁𝑂− + 2𝐻 + 𝑀𝑛𝑂4 − + 4𝐻 + → 𝑀𝑛𝑂2 + 2𝐻2 𝑂
“In accordance with Section 185 Fair Use of a Copyright Work of Republic Act 8293, the copyrighted works included in this material may be reproduced
for educational purposes only not for commercial distribution.”
Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.:IM-CHEMENG-1STSEM-2020-2021
Simplifying,
3𝐶𝑁 − + 2𝑀𝑛𝑂4 − + 2𝐻 + → 3𝐶𝑁𝑂− + 2𝑀𝑛𝑂2 + 𝐻2 𝑂
Hopefully!
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NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
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INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.:IM-CHEMENG-1STSEM-2020-2021
ANSWERS:
1. 𝐶𝑢 + 4𝐻 + + 2𝑁𝑂3 − → 𝐶𝑢2+ + 2𝑁𝑂2 + 2𝐻2 𝑂
VII. ASSIGNMENT
1. Balance the redox reaction representing the oxidation of Fe2+ ions to Fe3+ by dichromate ions (Cr2O72-) in an
acidic medium. As a result, the Cr2O72- ions are reduced to Cr3+ ions.
2. Write a balanced ionic equation to represent the oxidation of iodide ion (I-) by permanganate ion (MnO4-) in basic
solution to yield molecular iodine (I2) and manganese oxide (MnO2)
VIII. REFERENCES
1. Brown, T.L., LeMay Jr., H.E., Bursten, B.E., Murphy, C.J., Woodward, P.M. (2017). Chemistry - The
Central Science, 14th ed., Prentice-Hall International, Inc.
2. Whitten, K.W., Davis, R.E., Peck, M.L. and Stanley, G.G. (2014). Chemistry, 10th ed. Cengage
Learning.
3. Jones, M. (nd). The Law of Conservation of Matter. Retrieved from
https://mrjonesscienceroom.weebly.com/the-law-of-the-conservation-of-matter.html
“In accordance with Section 185 Fair Use of a Copyright Work of Republic Act 8293, the copyrighted works included in this material may be reproduced
for educational purposes only not for commercial distribution.”