Year 4/ Redox

Chemistry

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Catholic High School

Integrated Programme
Year 4 Chemistry
Lecture Notes 17 Redox
Name:

Class:

Vitamin C -- An Anti-oxidant
Most animals can produce their own vitamin C, but humans and their close relatives the primates (apes,
gorillas and chimpanzees) have lost this ability. Because of this, vitamin C is an essential nutrient in our diets.

H OH
O
H
O C
C C
C H
C C
OH
HO
OH H

Figure 1. The structural formula of vitamin C.

Vitamin C is vital to the production of collagen. Collagen is an essential component of the connective tissue
within our bodies which gives our bodies form and supports our internal organs. Vitamin C also prevents and
cures the disease scurvy, and can be beneficial in the treatment of iron deficiency, anaemia.
The term anti-oxidant refers to vitamin Cs ability to protect the fat-soluble vitamins A and E, as well as fatty
acids, from oxidation. If a mixture of vitamins A, E and C are exposed to an oxidising agent, then the vitamin
C will be oxidised first, thus saving the vitamins A and E from oxidation.
During its oxidation, 1 mole of vitamin C loses 2 moles of electrons as shown in the balanced chemical
equation below.

H OH
H
O C
C C
C H
C C
OH
HO
OH H
O

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H OH
H
O C
C C
C H + 2H
C C
OH
O
O H
O

+ 2e

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Chemistry

1.
2.
3.
4.

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Why is vitamin C an essential component of our diets? What is its function within our bodies?
Why is vitamin C often referred to as ascorbic acid?
How does vitamin C act as an anti-oxidant?
With reference to the equation, suggest what is involved during oxidation.

A.

Content
Redox reactions
Testing for reducing and oxidising agents
Redox and back titrations

B.

Learning Outcomes
Students should be able to:
(a) define oxidation and reduction (redox) in terms of oxygen / hydrogen gain / loss
(b) define redox in terms of electron transfer and changes in oxidation state
(c) identify redox reactions in terms of oxygen/hydrogen gain/loss, electron gain/loss and
changes in oxidation state
(d) describe the use of aqueous potassium iodide and acidified potassium manganate(VII) in
(e) testing for oxidising and reducing agents from the resulting colour changes
(f) carry out titrations involving redox reactions (include calculations)

C.

References
1. Tan Y.T., Chen L.K., John Sadler and Emily Sadler. GCE O Level: Chemistry Matters (2 nd ed).
Marshall Cavendish Education.
2. http://www.chemguide.co.uk
3. mccscience.yolasite.com/resources/EXP%204.7.pdf

D.

Lecture Outline
1. Definition of oxidation and reduction
2. Definition of redox reactions and reducing and oxidising agents
3. Test for reducing and oxidising agents
4. Redox titrations

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Introduction
Redox (stands for reduction and oxidation) reactions are important chemical reactions encountered
in everyday processes. Examples of redox reactions include iron rusting, production of electricity in
batteries and burning of fuels to generate energy. Redox reactions are also found in living
organisms.
1.
Definitions of Oxidation and Reduction
There are four ways we can determine if a substance is reduced or oxidised during a reaction:
Oxidation
Reduction
1
Gain in oxygen
Loss of oxygen
2
Loss of hydrogen
Gain in hydrogen
3
Loss of electron(s)
Gain in electron(s)
4
Increase in oxidation state
Decrease in oxidation state
(a)

Definitions 1 and 2:

Oxidation is the gain in oxygen to a substance or the loss of hydrogen from a substance.
Reduction is the loss of oxygen from a substance or the gain in hydrogen to a substance.
Checkpoint: Indicate which substances have been oxidised and which have been reduced in each
of the following reactions:
i.
Fe2O3 + 3CO 2Fe + 3CO2
Key:
C2H6 C2H4 + H2
ii.
(colour) = oxidised.
CuO + H2 Cu + H2O
iii.
(colour) = reduced.
C6H6 + 3H2 C6H12
iv.

(b)

Definition 3:

Oxidation is the loss of electron(s) from a substance.

Reduction is the gain in electron(s) to a substance.
There is a simple mnemonic to help you remember this: OIL RIG
Oxidation Is Loss (of electrons).
Reduction Is Gain (in electrons).
For example, the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between sodium and chlorine is:
2Na(s) + Cl2(g) 2NaCl(s)
During this reaction each sodium atom transfers its single valence electron into the valence shell of
a chlorine atom. The sodium atoms have lost electrons and have therefore been oxidised to form
positive sodium ions. This ionic half-equation for sodium is Na(s) Na+(s) + e . (1)
The chlorine atoms have gained electrons and have therefore been reduced to form negative
chloride ions. This ionic half-equation for chlorine is Cl2(g) + 2e 2Cl(s) .. (2)
In a redox reaction, the electrons gained by one substance (Cl2) must be balanced by the
electrons lost by another substance (Na).

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To arrive at the chemical equation for the redox reaction between sodium and chlorine, multiply
equation (1) by 2 and add it to equation (2):
2Na(s) + Cl2(g) + 2e 2Na+(s) + 2Cl(s) + 2e
2Na(s) + Cl2(g) 2NaCl (s)
Checkpoint: For the equation given below, state and explain which substance has been oxidised or
reduced, in terms of electron gain or loss.
Zn (s) + CuCl2 (aq) ZnCl2 (aq) + Cu (s)
Zn has been oxidised as it lost electrons to become Zn2+.
CuCl2 has been reduced as Cu2+ gained electrons to become Cu.

(c)

Definition 4:

Oxidation is an increase in oxidation state (or oxidation number).

Reduction is a decrease in oxidation state (or oxidation number).
The basic rules for the calculation of an oxidation state are as follows:
1. The oxidation state of a pure element is always 0.
e.g.

For metallic iron (Fe) the oxidation number of the iron = 0.

2. The oxidation state of a simple ion is the same as the charge on the ion.
e.g.
In sodium chloride (NaCl) the oxidation number of the sodium is +1 and the oxidation number of
chlorine is 1.

3. Some elements have a fixed oxidation state in their compounds:

Element

Oxidation state

Group I elements (e.g. Na, K) in compounds

+1

Group II elements (e.g. Mg, Ca) in compounds

+2

Oxygen in compounds (except peroxides)

-2 (-1 in peroxides e.g. H2O2)

Hydrogen in compounds
(except when combined with reactive metals)

+1 (-1 in NaH, sodium hydride)

4. The oxidation states of all the atoms or ions in a compound add up to zero.
5. The sum of oxidation states of all the atoms in a polyatomic ion is the same as the charge
on the ion.
e.g.
In the nitrate ion (NO3) the overall charge on the ion is 1, so the sum of the oxidation numbers
must equal 1. Given that the oxidation number of oxygen in a compound is known to be 2, what is the
oxidation state of nitrogen?

Checkpoint: Calculate the oxidation state of each of the elements in bold italics:
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O2 oxidation state = 0

SO2 oxidation state = +4

ZnO oxidation state = +2

SO3 oxidation state = +6

VO2 oxidation state = +4

H2S oxidation state = -2

CO32 oxidation state = +4

Cr2O3 oxidation state = +3

VO oxidation state = +2

SO32 oxidation state = +4

V2O5 oxidation state = +5

IO4 oxidation state = +7

Cr2O72 oxidation state = +6

PO43 oxidation state = +5

FeCl3 oxidation state = +3

HNO3 oxidation state =+5

1. What does the III in iron (III) chloride represent?

The oxidation state of iron in iron(III) chloride is +3. The III represents irons oxidation state.
2. What does the VI in dichromate (VI) ion, Cr2O72, mean?
The oxidation state of chromium in dichromate(VI) is +6. The VI represents chromiums oxidation
state.
3. What do you notice about the oxidation states of transition metals?
Transition metals form ions with variable oxidation states. For example, vanadium has an oxidation
state of +2 in VO, +4 in VO2 and +5 in V2O5.

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Year 4/ Redox
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Determining Oxidation and Reduction Cl

Cl2(g) + 2Br(aq) 2Cl(aq) + Br2(g)
Oxidation state

-1

-1

The oxidation state of bromine has increased from -1 in Br to 0 in Br2.

Br has been oxidised to Br2.
The oxidation state of chlorine has decreased from 0 in Cl2 to -1 in Cl.
Cl2 has been reduced to Cl..
2

Redox Reactions

A redox reaction is one in which both reduction and oxidation occurs.

e.g. 2Mg + O2 2MgO
Oxidation state of Mg increased from 0 (in Mg) to +2 (in MgO). Mg is oxidised.

Oxidation state of O decreased from 0 (in O2) to -2 (in MgO). O2 is reduced.

Since both oxidation and reduction occurred in the same reaction, this is a redox reaction.

Checkpoint: For questions (i) to (iii), calculate the oxidation state of each of the elements in bold
italics at the start and at the end of the reaction. Hence, identify the substance that has been
oxidised or reduced.
i.

Fe2O3 + 3CO 2Fe + 3CO2

Fe2O3 : +3 ; Fe : 0
CO : +2 ; CO2 : +4
Fe2O3 has been reduced as the oxidation state of Fe decreased from +3 (in Fe2O3) to 0 (in Fe).
Carbon monoxide has been oxidised as the oxidation state of C increased from +2 (in CO) to +4 (in
CO2).
ii.

Mg + H2SO4 MgSO4 + H2

Mg : 0 ; MgSO4 : +2
H2SO4 : +1 ; H2 : 0
Magnesium has been oxidised as the oxidation state of Mg increased from 0 (in Mg) to +2 (in
MgSO4). Sulfuric acid has been reduced as the oxidation state of H decreased from +1 (in H 2SO4)
to 0 (in H2).
iii.

Zn + CuSO4 ZnSO4 + Cu

Zn : 0 ; ZnSO4 : +2
CuSO4 : +2 ; Cu : 0
Zinc has been oxidised as the oxidation state of Zn increased from 0 (in Zn) to +2 (in ZnSO 4).
CuSO4 has been reduced as the oxidation state of Cu decreased from +2 (in CuSO4) to 0 (in Cu).

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Year 4/ Redox
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Oxidising Agent
An oxidising agent is a substance that causes another substance to be oxidised. The substance
that is reduced during the reaction is the oxidising agent.
Reducing agent
A reducing agent is a substance that causes another substance to be reduced.
The substance that is oxidised during a reaction is the reducing agent.
For the example: 2Mg + O2 2MgO
Mg is the reducing agent.
O2 is the oxidising agent.

Examples of Oxidising and Reducing Agents

Oxidising agents: bromine, chlorine, oxygen, acidified potassium manganate(VII), potassium
dichromate(VI)
Reducing agents: carbon, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, sulfur dioxide
Checkpoint: For questions (i) to (iii), calculate the oxidation state of each of the elements in bold
italics at the start and at the end of the reaction. Hence, identify the oxidising and reducing agents
in the reaction.
i.

MnO2 + 4HCl MnCl2 + 2H2O + Cl2

MnO2 : +4 ; MnCl2 : +2
HCl : -1 ; Cl2 : 0
MnO2 has been reduced as the oxidation state of Mn decreased from +4 (in MnO 2) to +2 (in MnCl2)
i.e. MnO2 is the oxidising agent. HCl has been oxidised as the oxidation state of Cl increased from
-1 (in HCl) to 0 (in Cl2) i.e. HCl is the reducing agent.
ii.

2S2O32(aq) + I2(aq) S4O62(aq) + 2I(aq)

S2O32 : +2 ; S4O62 : +2.5

I2 : 0 ; I : -1
S2O32 has been oxidised as the oxidation state of S increased from +2 (in S2O32) to +2.5 (in
S4O62) i.e. S2O32is the reducing agent. I2 has been reduced as the oxidation state of I decreased
from 0 (in I2) to -1 (in I-).
iii.

Na2S2O3 + 2HCl 2NaCl + SO2 + S + H2O

S2O32 : +2 ; SO2 : +4 ; S : 0
S2O32 (oxidation state of S is +2) has been oxidised to SO2 (oxidation state of S is +4) and reduced
to S (oxidation state of S is 0) in the same reaction.
This is a disproportionation reaction.
iv. Which metal in the metal reactivity series is the strongest reducing agent? State and explain the
trend.

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Potassium. As one goes down the metal reactivity series, the metals ability to act as a reducing
agent decreases. This is because the metal becomes less reactive and is less readily to be
oxidised to form the metal ion.
v. Would you expect Group VII elements to be strong oxidising or reducing agents? Why?
Group VII elements are strong oxidising agents. They are readily reduced to form the halide ions.
3

Test for Oxidising and Reducing Agents

Test for reducing agent

Add aqueous acidified potassium manganate(VII). Acidified potassium manganate(VII)
is an oxidising agent.
The aqueous acidified potassium manganate(VII) turns from purple to colourless (due to
formation of Mn2+) in the presence of a reducing agent:
MnO4(aq) + 8H+(aq) + 5e Mn2+(aq) + 4H2O(l)
Acidified potassium manganate(VII) is reduced.
Note: Aqueous acidified potassium dichromate (VI), if available, can also be used to test for
reducing agents. The aqueous acidified potassium dichromate (VI) will turn from orange to green
(due to formation of Cr3+) in the presence of a reducing agent:
Cr2O72-(aq) + 14H+(aq) + 6e- 2Cr3+(aq) +7H2O(l)

What would you observe if you bubble sulfur dioxide gas into acidified potassium manganate(VII)?
Explain.
Acidified potassium manganate(VII) turns from purple to colourless. Sulfur dioxide is a reducing
agent and it has been oxidised to sulfur trioxide.
Test for oxidising agent
Add aqueous potassium iodide. Aqueous potassium iodide is a reducing agent.
Aqueous potassium iodide turns from colourless to brown (formation of I2)
2I-(aq) I2 (aq) + 2e- Aqueous potassium iodide is oxidised.

What would you observe if you bubble chlorine gas into aqueous potassium iodide? Explain.
Aqueous potassium iodide turns from colourless to brown. Chlorine is an oxidising agent and it has
been reduced to chloride ions by potassium iodide. This is a displacement reaction.

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Redox Titrations

A redox titration is a type of titration based on redox reactions.

An indicator may not be required for the titration, as
certain reagents can also act as indicators (e.g. KMnO4).
Self-indicating redox reactions e.g. determination of
retort stand
concentration of iron(II) ions by reaction with potassium
manganate(VII). The KMnO4 is the oxidising agent and
also the indicator for the titration. At endpoint, there will be
a permanent pale pink colouration.
Doing the titration
The potassium manganate(VII) solution goes into the
burette, and the iron(II) solution in the conical flask is
acidified with dilute sulfuric acid.

burette

conical flask

As the potassium manganate(VII) solution is run into the flask, it becomes colourless. The end
point is the first faint trace of permanent pink in the solution showing that there is a drop in excess
of potassium manganate(VII) ions present.
What property makes potassium manganate(VII) an indicator in a redox titration?
KMnO4 shows a distinct colour change (from purple to pale colourless) when it is reduced to Mn2+.
Non-redox indicator required e.g. treating a solution of iodine with a reducing agent to produce
iodide and using a starch indicator to help detect the endpoint. There will be a dark blue
colouration (due to formation of starch-iodine complex) at the endpoint.

Doing the titration

The sodium thiosulfate solution is placed in the burette and, as it is added to the conical flask, it
reacts with the iodine and the brown colour of the solution fades. When it reaches a pale yellow
colour, a few drops of a freshly prepared starch solution are added. The solution becomes blueblack, and the titration is continued until it goes colourless. The titration reaction may be
represented by the equation: I2 (aq) + 2S2O32- (aq) 2I- (aq) + S4O62- (aq)

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Checkpoint:
i. 25.0 cm3 of 0.100 mol/dm3 iron(II) sulfate solution was measured into a conical flask and titrated
with aqueous acidified potassium manganate(VII). It was found that 24.15cm3 of aqueous
acidified potassium manganate(VII) was required to reach the endpoint. Calculate the
concentration of the potassium manganate(VII) solution, given the redox equation is:
MnO4-(aq) + 8H+(aq) + 5Fe2+(aq) Mn2+(aq) + 4H2O(l) + 5Fe3+
[0.0207 mol/dm3]
No of moles of Fe2+ = 25.0 / 1000 X 0.100 = 0.0025
No of moles of MnO4- = 0.0025 / 5 = 0.0005
Concentration of potassium manganate(VII) solution = 0.0005 / 24.15 X 1000
= 0.0207 mol/dm3 (3sf)
ii. A 250 cm3 solution of vitamin C (C6H8O6) was prepared by dissolving a tablet in deionised water.
A 25.0 cm3 sample of the solution was titrated against 0.015 mol/dm3 iodine solution, using
starch indicator. It was found that 17.40 cm 3 of iodine was needed to produce a permanent dark
blue colouration.
Calculate the mass of vitamin C in the original tablet, given the Mr of vitamin C is 176, and the
redox equation is C6H8O6(aq) + I2(aq)C6H6O6(aq) + 2H+(aq) + 2I-(aq).
[0.459g]
No of moles of I2 = 17.40 / 1000 X 0.015 = 0.000261
No of moles of C6H8O6 = 0.000261
Mass of vitamin C in original tablet = 0.000261 x 10 x 176 = 0.459g (3sf)

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Iodine-Thiosulfate Titrations

Thiosulfate acts as reducing agent and reduces iodine to iodide as represented by the equation
2S2O32(aq) + I2 (aq)

S4O62(aq) + 2 I(aq)
colourless

brown

colourless

colourless

Thiosulfate is used commonly for the estimation of I2 or for substances which will liberate I2
from potassium iodide, KI.

Most iodometric titrations involve 2 steps:

1. A substance is normally added to acidified KI (aq) to liberate I2.
2. The liberated I2 is then estimated using standard thiosulfate solution.

Starch solution is used as an indicator and is usually added when the solution is pale yellow
in colour. The titration is then continued until one drop of thiosulfate solution changes the colour
of the reaction mixture from blue (or violet) to colourless.

Checkpoint:
Iodate(V) ions react with iodide ions in the presence of an acid to produce iodine:
IO3(aq) + 5I(aq) + 6H+(aq)

3I2(aq) + 3H2O(l)

1.01 g of potassium iodate(V) were dissolved and made up to 250 cm3. To a 25.0 cm3 portion was
added an excess of potassium iodide and dilute sulfuric acid. The solution is titrated with a solution
of sodium thiosulfate, starch solution being added near the end-point. 29.80 cm 3 of thiosulfate
solution were required. Using the equation: 2S2O32(aq) + I2 (aq)
S4O62(aq) + 2 I(aq),
calculate the concentration of the thiosulfate solution.
[9.50 x 102 mol/dm3]
Hint
1. What is the amt of IO3 in 25.0cm3 of solution
used in titration with thiosulfate?
2. How does thiosulfate react with I2? Construct
eqn.
3. From mole ratio in eqn, what is the amt of
S2O32 reacted and hence conc?

Molar mass of KIO3 = (39.1 + 127 + 48) = 214.1 g mol1

1.01
214.1
Amount of KIO3 used =
= 4.717 x 103 mol

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Concentration of the KIO3 solution

4.717 10-3
25.0 / 1000

= 1.887 x 102 mol dm3

Amount of IO3 in 25.0 cm3 of solution = (25.0/1000)(1.887 x 102) = 4.717 x 104 mol
IO3(aq) + 5I(aq) + 6H+(aq)
Mole ratio:

3I2(aq) + 3H2O(l)
3

Amount of I2 produced = (3)(4.717 x 104) = 1.415 x 103 mol

S4O62(aq) + 2 I(aq)

2S2O32(aq) + I2 (aq)

Amount of S2O32 reacted

= (2)(1.415 x 103) = 2.830 x 103 mol

Volume of S2O32 reacted = 29.80 cm3

2.830 10 3
2
Hence concentration of S2O32 solution = 2.98 10
= 9.50 x 102 mol dm3

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