R3.2 - electron transfer reactions Flashcards
What is oxidation?
- Gain of oxygen
- Loss of hydrogen
- Loss of electrons
- Increase in oxidation state
What is reduction?
- Gain of hydrogen
- Loss of oxygen
- Gain of electrons
- Decrease in oxidation state
What are limitations of the oxidation states model?
It can be hard to assign integer oxidation states to compounds with more than 1 atom of an element such as C3H8.
What is the oxidation state of carbon in C3H8?
-2.67
What is an oxidizing agent?
The reactant that accepts electrons and undergoes reduction.
What are some examples of oxidizing agents?
- O2
- O3
- MnO4-
- Cr2O7 2-
- OH-
- H2O2
- HNO3
- H+
What is a reducing agent?
The reactant that donates electrons and undergoes oxidation.
What are some examples of reducing agents?
- H2
- C
- CO
- SO2
- Reactive metals
What can act as both reducing and oxidizing agents?
H2O and H2O2
What is the role of half-equations?
Shows the electrons transfer process in redox reactions.
What are the steps involved in writing a redox reaction?
1) Write the unbalanced equation and assign oxidation states to each element.
2) Write the half equations.
3) Balance O by adding H2O to the opposite side of the equation.
4) Balance H by adding H+ ions to the opposite side of the equation.
5) Balance the number of electrons and check that the charge number is balanced.
6) Add the 2 half equations together and cancel out if anything is the same.
What is a redox titration used for?
Used to determine the concentrations of reactants and products in redox reactions.
What is the equation for the iodine-thiosulfate titration?
2I- (aq) + oxidising agent (clear) –> I2 (s) + other products (blue)
2S2O3 2- (aq) + I2 (aq) –> 2I- (aq) + S4O6 2- (aq)
What are the half-equations for the iodine-thiosulfate titration?
Oxidation: 2S2O3 2- –> S4O6 20 + 2e-
Reduction: I2 + 2e- –> 2I-
How does the iodine-thiosulfate titration work?
- Iodine ions are oxidised to iodide and titrated against sodium thiosulfate, which reduces iodide back to iodine, using starch as an indicator.
- The starch forms a deep blue colour with iodine molecules in the complex.
- As the I2 is reduced to I-, the blue colour disappears.
- Starch is added at intervals during the titration.
What is the equation for the titration with iron and manganese?
5Fe 2+ (aq) + MnO4- (aq) + 8H+ (aq) –> 5Fe 3+ (aq) + Mn 2+ (aq) + 4H2O (l)
What are the half-equations for the titration with iron and manganese?
Oxidation: Fe 3+ –> Fe 2+ + e-
Reduction: MnO4= + 8H+ + 5e- –> Mn2+ + 4H2O
What happens during titration of iron and manganese?
KMnO4 is used in acidic conditions to oxidise Fe2+ to Fe3+ and reduce MnO4- to Mn2+.
- Colour changes from deep purple to colourless.
- Reaction mixture acts as its own indicator.
What is the order of the reactivity series?
K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al, C, Zn, Fe, Sn, Pb, Cu, Ag, Au
Which non-metals are stronger oxidising agents?
More reactive non-metals
Which metals are stronger reducing agents?
More reactive metals
What happens when an acid reacts with a metal?
Produces salt and hydrogen
Why is H important in the reactivity series?
Anything less reactive than H will not react with acids.
What are electrochemical cells?
Umbrella term for voltaic and electrolytic cells.
What are voltaic cells?
Cells that generate electricity from chemical reactions.
What occurs at the anode and cathode of electrochemical cells?
Anode - oxidation
Cathode - reduction
What are electrolyctic cells?
Cells that use electricity to drive chemical reactions.
How is the type of reaction different for voltaic and electrolyctic cells?
Voltaic - spontaneous
Electrolytic - non spontaneous
Where does oxidation occur for voltaic and electrolyctic cells?
Anode
Where does reduction occur for voltaic and electrolyctic cells?
Cathode
What is the polarity of the anode and cathode at the voltaic cell?
Anode = -
Cathode = +
What is the polarity of the anode and cathode at the electrolyctic cell?
Anode = +
Cathode = -
What is a primary voltaic cell?
Electrochemical cell that converts energy from spontaneous redox reactions to electrical energy,.
E.g) Lithium batteries in remotes
- It is single use as chemicals are not renewed during this process.
What happens when 2 half-cells are connected by an external wire and a salt bridge?
Electrons will have a tendency to flow spontaneously through the external circuit from the more negative zinc half cell to the less negative copper half cell.
- This can be quantified by measuring potential difference between 2 electrodes with a voltmeter.
What must be complete in order for a reaction to occur?
The circuit must be complete in order for a reaction to occur.
What are the half-equations for the reaction zinc and copper?
Cu2+ (aq) + 2e- <–> Cu (s)
Zn (s) <–> Zn2+ (aq) + 2e-
What occurs at the anode and cathode for a reaction involving zinc and copper half cells?
Anode - oxidation of zinc occurs.
Cathode - reduction of copper occurs.
What is the relationship between reactivity and position of equilibrium?
The more reactive the metal, the more the equilibrium favours the formation of ions, and the greater the negative charge on the electrode as there is a greater build-up of electrons.
What connections do the half-cells need in a voltaic cell?
- An external electronic circuit, connected to the metal electrode in each half-cell.
- A voltmeter to record the voltage produced.
- A salt bridge to complete the circuit.
What is the direction of flow for electrons?
From the anode (-) to the cathode (+), through the wire.