Module 5: Chapter 23 - Redox and Electrode Potentials Flashcards
What is the charge of CO?
0
What is the oxidation state of Nickel in Ni(CO)₄?
0
What is the thiosulfate ion?
S₂O₃²⁻
Why is the thiosulfate ion, S₂O₃²⁻, commonly used in redox titrations?
It is a reducing agent
Explain the oxidation numbers in S₄O₆²⁻
The oxidation numbers of all oxygen atoms is -2. Therefore, it would appear that the oxidation number on each sulfur atom is +2.5. However, it cannot actually be +2.5 as you cannoy have have an electron, therefore the true case would be 2 of the S atoms having an oxidation numberof +2 and 2 of the S atoms having an oxidation number of +3. However, for the sake of calculations and writing half equations it can be treated as +2.5
What is a strong oxidising agent?
Potassium Manganate (VII), KMnO₄
What is the half equation for Manganate (VII) being reduced to manganese (II) ions?
MnO₄⁻ + 5e⁻ + 8H⁺ ⇌ Mn²⁺ + 4H₂O
What are the conditions to use potassium managate (VII) in redox titrations?
It must be in acidic conditions to provide the H⁺ ions. Specifically dilute sulfuric acid must be used in excess
Why must dilute sulfuric acid be used with potassium managate (VII) in redox titrations rather than hydrochloric acid, concentrated sulfuric/nitric acid, or ethanoic acid?
MnO₄⁻ + 5e⁻ + 8H⁺ ⇌ Mn²⁺ + 4H₂O
- Hydrochloric acid - Manganate will oxidise the chloride to form chlorine aswell as the target. This will cause the titre to increase
- Concentrated sulfuric/nitric acid - They are oxidising agents so will decrease Mn²⁺ produced, titre will decrease
- Ethanoic acid - It is a weak acid so insufficient H⁺ ions will be put into the solution
What is a self-indicating titration?
A titration where no indicator is used as the solution changes colour during the reaction
What colour is potassium manganante?
Purple
What colour are manganese (II) ions?
Colourless
(Technically very pale pink)
How can you determine the end point in a redox titration using potassium manganate (VII) as an oxidising agent?
The purple potassium manganate is in the burette and is titred into the colourless reducing agent. As the potassium manganate is titred in, it will form colourless manganese (II) ions, however once the titration is complete and all of the reducing agent has been oxidised, this will no longer happen. Therefore the end point is when the solution turns light pink
How can the element iron be prepared to be in the +2 oxidation state?
If is it the element Fe (0), it is reacted with sulfuric acid to oxidise it to form Fe²⁺
How can Fe³⁺ be prepared to be in the +2 oxidation state?
If it is Fe³⁺, it is reacted with Zn to reduce it to Fe²⁺
What is the overall equation for the redox titration between Fe²⁺ and acidified potassium manganate (VII)
MnO₄⁻ + 5Fe²⁺ + 8H⁺ ⇌ Mn²⁺ + 5Fe³⁺ + 4H₂O
94%
What is a half-cell?
An electrode
Explain how a metal half-cell/electrode works
- When a piece of metal is dipped into a solution of its own metal ions, an equilibrium is set up. There is a tendency for the metal to form positive ions and go into solution, however there is also a tendency for the metal ions in solutions to gain electrons and form metal. Mⁿ⁺(aq) + ne⁻ ⇌ M(s)
- If this equilibrium lies to the left, then the metal aquires a negative charge due to a build up of electrons on the metal
- If this equilibrium lies to the right, then a positive charge builds up on the metal as electrons have been used up to form the solid metal from the ions.
- The position of equilibrium (and so the charge of the electrode) depends on the reactivity of the metal
- A more reactive metal tends to form Mⁿ⁺ ions and is therefore more likely to be negative. A less reactive metal is more likely to have a positive charge
What determines if an electrode is positive or negative?
IMPORTANT
Its reactivity compared to the other electrode:
* If the electrode is more reactive, then it is a better reducing agent and is therefore oxidised. As a result it is better at releasing electrons (which remain in the electrode) and therefore forms the ions and gives the electrode a negative charge. Therefore it is the negative electrode.
* If the electrode is less reactive, then it is a worse reducing agent (better oxidising agent) and is therefore reduced. As a result it is worse at releasing electrons and therefore gains the electrons to form the elements (giving the electrode a positive charge). Therefore it is the positive electrode
Is the more reactive metal electrode positive or negative?
Negative electrode
Is the less reactive metal electrode positive or negative?
Positive electrode
What are the 3 types of electrodes?
- Metal electrodes
- Gas electrodes
- Redox electrodes
Explain how a Gas electrode works
A gas electrode is for a gas and a solution of its ions. An inert metal (usually platinum) is the actual electrode to allow the flow of electrons
Explain how a redox electrode works
A redox electrode is for 2 different ions of the same element where the 2 types of ions are present in solution with an inert metal electrode (usually platinum) to allow the flow of electrons
How can you measure the potential of an electrode?
The actual potential of an electrode cannot be directly measured, therfore it is connected to another half-cell of known potential and the potential difference between the 2 half-cells is measured. Therefore a standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) is assigned the potential of 0V and all the other halfcells can be measured against it.
What does combining 2 half-cells produce?
An electrochemical cell
What is the emf of a Standard hydrogen electrode?
0V
How do you set up an electrochemical cell?
Include diagram
2 Half cells are joined together to give a complete circuit
* The 2 metals are joined with a wire (electrons flow through the wire)
* The 2 solutions are joined with a salt bridge (ions flow through the salt bridge)
* A voltmeter is often included in the circuit to allow the potential difference (emf) to be measured
What does a salt bridge consist of?
Either:
* A piece of filter paper soaked with a solution of unreactive ions
* A tube containing unreactive ions in agar gel
What compound is commonly used in a salt bridge?
Potassium Nitrate as potassium ions and nitrate ions are quite unreactive
What are the standard conditions when measuring the potential of a half-cell?
- Cell concentration - 1.0 mol dm⁻³ of the ions invovled in the half equation
- Cell temperature - 298K
- Cell pressure - 100kPa
It must also be measured under 0 current conditions in order to measure the full emf (this can be achieved with a high resistance voltmeter)