Strongest
Reducing
Agents/
Easily
Oxidized
Rules for Using Standard Reduction
Potentials
1) Read the half reactions as written
2) The more POSITIVE the reduction potential,
the greater the tendency is for the
substance to be reduced and therefore the
better the oxidizing agent
(keep the half-reaction with the more POSITIVE
cell potential as written in the table—that is the
reduction reaction)
3) The half-cell reactions ARE reversible. IF
you need to reverse, you MUST change the
sign of the ξ0cell.
4) If you change the stoichiometric
coefficients, ξ0cell remains the same
Rules for Using Standard Reduction
Potentials
5) Under standard state conditions: any
species on the LEFT of a given half-
reaction will react spontaneously with a
species that is on the RIGHT and ABOVE
it
6) The most positive values for ξcell mean
that they are the strongest OXIDIZING
AGENTS and therefore are themselves
reduced.
7) The most negative values for ξcell mean
that they are the strongest REDUCING
AGENTS and therefore are themselves
oxidized.
The Total Cell Potential
The total cell potential is the sum of the
half-cell potentials
ξ0cell. = ξ0 ox + ξ0red
Example:
What will be the overall reaction and the ξocell-
total if Br2 is added to a solution containing I2 at
25oC? Assume all species are in their standard
states.
Half reactions (as found in a standard table):
I2 (s) + 2 e- 2I– (aq) ξocell = 0.53 V
Br2 (l) + 2e- 2Br (aq) ξored = 1.07 V
Using the standard reduction potentials, the fact that Br2
has the more positive potential indicates that the Br2
will be reduced. So, change the sign on the oxidation
reaction and reverse it so that it is written as an
oxidation.