Scribd
Upload
11 views

2 - Oxidation Numbers

Uploaded by

namjoonleftoenail
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
11 views

2 - Oxidation Numbers

Uploaded by

namjoonleftoenail
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 14

Oxidation Numbers

OUTCOME:

EL1 - REACTIVITY AND OXIDATION NUMBERS


 Outline the development of our understanding of
oxidation and reduction reactions.
 Develop an activity series and predict spontaneity of
reactions.
 Determine the oxidation numbers for atoms in
compounds and ions.
 Identify reactions as redox or non-redox and identify
species involved.

Vocabulary & Concepts


Oxidizing agent Reducing agent
Balancing REDOX reactions:

Both atoms and electrons must be balanced in


redox reactions:
gains 1e- x 2 atoms = 2e-

oxidation numbers: 0 0 +1 -1
2 Cu + Cl2 → 2Cu+ + 2 Cl-

loses 1e- x 2 = 2e-

Balancing is done by assigning


oxidation numbers to all elements
Oxidation number represents the charge the atom
would have if every bond were ionic.
Pretend all bonds are give/take like an ionic bond, consider
the electronegativity for each element and write the charges
-1 -1
+2
  
MgCl2 Cl is higher EN
- Mg loses 2 electrons
  
 Cl  Mg  Cl 
(ionic) - Each Cl gains 1 electron  
-2
2-



-2


-2

 O 
+6
   


 
 O  S  O
 


  
SO42- O is higher EN


- Each O gains 2 electrons

O
(covalent)
- S loses 6 electrons


-2
**There is a written difference between ion charge and
oxidation number**

Mg (s) + Cl2 (g) → MgCl2 (s)


0 +2 0 -1
Mg → Mg2+ + 2e- Cl + 1e- → Cl1-
Magnesium ion Chlorine ion
ion charge: 2+ ion charge: 1-
oxidation #: +2 oxidation #: -1

Sometimes these numbers are the same (like above) sometimes


they are very different – which is why we write them differently
Rules for assigning Oxidation Numbers

1. Assign known numbers first, calculate others.


• Any element in its “natural” state – zero
Cu 0 O2 0
• All metal ions – number equals ion charge
Fe3+ +3 CuCl2 + 2
*Use reverse criss-cross to find metals charge*

• Hydrogen – usually +1 Except metal hydrides (NaH)


• Oxygen – usually -2 Except peroxides (H2O2)
• Fluorine – is -1
2. Neutral compounds:
Sum of O# must equal zero

Assign O#s for each atom in K2Cr2O7


Step 1: Start with atoms which are known.

O: –2 K:
+1
Step 2: Solve for other atoms.

+1 +6 -2 Multiply the O#s by the


subscripts for each
K2Cr 2O7 atom to get the sum
+2 +12
?? -14 = 0

K = +1 Cr = +6 O = –
2.
3. Charged compounds:
Sum of O# must equal charge of compound

Assign O#s for each atom in NO31-


Step 1: Start with atoms which are known.

O: –2
Step 2: Solve for other atoms.

+5 -2
NO31-
+5
?? -6 = -1
N = +5 O = –2.
Assign oxidation numbers and determine if the
following reaction is a redox reaction.

+4 -2 +1 -2 +1 +4 -2
SO2 + H2O → H2SO3
+4 -4 +2 -2 +2 +4 -6

Remember: Redox involves the transfer of electrons – no change in


oxidation numbers during the reaction means not a redox reaction

NOT a redox reaction


Show that the following is a redox reaction and list
the element oxidized and reduced.

0 +1 +5 -2 +1 +5 -2 0
Cu(s) + 2 AgNO3(aq) → CuNO3(aq) + 2 Ag(s)
0 +1 +5 -6 +1 +5 -6 0

Oxidation cannot occur without reduction

Redox reaction
• Cu – oxidized (loss of electrons)
• Ag – reduced (gain of electrons)
Oxidizing agent – compound causing the
oxidation of another substance.
Reducing agent - compound causing the reduction
of another substance.
Think opposites: if the compound is reduced (gains) it must have been
the “oxidizing agent” of the reaction and vice versa

0 +1 +1 0
Cu(s) + 2 AgNO3(aq) → CuNO3(aq) + 2 Ag(s)

• Cu – oxidized Cu – reducing agent


• Ag – reduced AgNO3 – oxidizing agent
Identify the substance oxidized and reduced and the
oxidizing and reducing agent. Substance - means element
Agent – means compound

+1 +5 -2 +1 -2 +2 -2 0 +1 -2
2 HNO3(aq) + 3 H2S(g) → 2 NO(g) + 3 S(s) + 4 H2O(l)
+1 +5 -6 +2 -2 +2 -2 0 +2 -2

• S – oxidized H2S – reducing agent


• N – reduced HNO3 – oxidizing agent
How many electrons are transferred in this reaction?
R: gains 3e- x (2 atoms) = 6e- gained

+1 +5 -2 +1 -2 +2 -2 0 +1 -2
2 HNO3(aq) + 3 H2S(g) → 2 NO(g) + 3 S(s) + 4 H2O(l)

O: loses 2e- x (3 atoms) = 6e- lost

Stoichiometry (coefficients and subscripts) used to determined


total electrons transferred

6 electrons transferred
(Number lost and gained have to match!)
CAN YOU / HAVE YOU?

EL1 - REACTIVITY AND OXIDATION NUMBERS


 Outline the development of our understanding of
oxidation and reduction reactions.
 Develop an activity series and predict spontaneity of
reactions.
 Determine the oxidation numbers for atoms in
compounds and ions.
 Identify reactions as redox or non-redox and identify
species involved.

Vocabulary & Concepts


Oxidizing agent Reducing agent

You might also like