redox
(noun)
A reversible chemical reaction in which one reaction is an oxidation and the reverse is a reduction.
Examples of redox in the following topics:
-
Redox Titrations
- Redox titration determines the concentration of an analyte containing either an oxidizing or a reducing agent.
- A student conducts the redox titration and reaches the endpoint after adding 25 mL of the titrant.
- There are various other types of redox titrations that can be very useful.
- A redox titration using potassium permanganate as the titrant.
- Calculate the concentration of an unknown analyte by performing a redox titration.
-
Types of Redox Reactions
- Redox reactions are all around us.
- In fact, much of our technology, from fire to laptop batteries, is largely based on redox reactions.
- Redox (reduction-oxidation) reactions are those in which the oxidation states of the reactants change.
- In some redox reactions, substances can be both oxidized and reduced.
- This is an example of a combustion reaction, a redox process.
-
Balancing Redox Equations
- For example, look at the following redox reaction between iron and copper:
- If a reaction occurs in an acidic environment, you can balance the redox equation as follows:
- The following is an unbalanced redox equation that takes place in acidic solution:
- A great walkthrough on how to balance a redox reaction in basic solution.
- A great walkthrough on how to balance a redox reaction in acidic solution.
-
Thermodynamics of Redox Reactions
- The thermodynamics of redox reactions can be determined using their standard reduction potentials and the Nernst equation.
- In order to calculate thermodynamic quantities like change in Gibbs free energy $\Delta G$ for a general redox reaction, an equation called the Nernst equation must be used.
- Translate between the equilibrium constant/reaction quotient, the standard reduction potential, and the Gibbs free energy change for a given redox reaction
-
Predicting Spontaneous Direction of a Redox Reaction
- The direction of a redox reaction depends on the relative strengths of the oxidants and reductants in a solution.
- Generally, the direction of a redox reaction depends on the relative strengths of oxidants and reductants in a solution.
- In order to predict if two reactants will take part in a spontaneous redox reaction, it is important to know how they rank in an electrochemical series.
- Predict the direction of electron flow in a redox reaction given the reduction potentials of the two half-reactions
-
Balancing Redox Equations
- Balancing redox reactions depends on conservation of mass and electrons; the exact method varies with basic or acidic solutions.
- Redox (oxidation-reduction) reactions include all chemical reactions in which atoms have their oxidation states changed.
- An alternative method for balancing reduction/oxidation (redox) reactions.
- It consists of four steps that, if followed, can balance any redox equation.
- Produce a balanced redox equation from an unbalanced one in either acidic or basic media
-
Free Energy and Cell Potential
- In a galvanic cell, where a spontaneous redox reaction drives the cell to produce an electric potential, the change in Gibbs free energy must be negative.
- In a galvanic cell, where a spontaneous redox reaction drives the cell to produce an electric potential, the change in Gibbs free energy must be negative.
- Calculate the change in Gibbs free energy of an electrochemical cell where the following redox reaction is taking place:
- Because the change in Gibbs free energy is negative, the redox process is spontaneous.
- Calculate the change in Gibbs free energy of an electrochemical cell, and discuss its implications for whether a redox reaction will be spontaneous
-
Oxidation of Phenols
- The redox equilibria between the dihydroxybenzenes hydroquinone and catechol and their quinone oxidation states are so facile that milder oxidants than chromate (Jones reagent) are generally preferred.
- The position of the quinone-hydroquinone redox equilibrium is proportional to the square of the hydrogen ion concentration, as shown by the following half-reactions (electrons are colored blue).
-
Voltaic Cells
- A voltaic cell is a device that produces an electric current from energy released by a spontaneous redox reaction in two half-cells.
- An electrochemical cell is a device that produces an electric current from energy released by a spontaneous redox reaction.
- The operating principle of the voltaic cell is a simultaneous oxidation and reduction reaction, called a redox reaction.
- This redox reaction consists of two half-reactions.
- In a typical voltaic cell, the redox pair is copper and zinc, represented in the following half-cell reactions:
-
Standard Reduction Potentials
- Reduction potential (also known as redox potential, oxidation/reduction potential, or Eh) measures the tendency of a chemical species to acquire electrons and thereby be reduced.
- However, because these can also be referred to as "redox potentials," the terms "reduction potentials" and "oxidation potentials" are preferred by the IUPAC.