Lecture Eight covers the following points:-

- Redox reaction
- Types of reactions
- Types of oxidant and reductant


There are a very large number of oxidation reduction reactions that are used as the basis for analytical methods.


For example:

CeCl4 + FeCl2 = CeCl3 + FeCl3

Ce4+ + 4 Cl- + Fe2+ + 2 Cl- =
Ce3+ + 3 Cl- + Fe3+ + 3 Cl-

Ce4+ + Fe2+ = Ce3+ + Fe3+

Ce4+ = Ce3+

Fe2+ = Fe3+


Oxidation Reaction: is the loss of electrons

Reduction Reaction: is the gain of electrons


Oxidation/Redouction reaction is one in which electrons are transferred from one reactant to another.


Red : Reductant

It is an electron donor

OX: Oxidant

It is an electron acceptor

Standard redox potential: Eo

The higher Eo The stronger OX
the weaker Red
Eo of Cl2/Cl- = 1.36 V
Eo of Fe3+/Fe2+ = 0.77 V

Cl2 : OX Fe2+ : Red
2 Fe2+ + Cl2 = 2 Fe3+ + 2 Cl-

An oxidizing agent with a higher potential can oxidize any reducing agent with a lower potential
A reducing agent with a lower potential can reduce any oxidizing agent with a higher potential

E = Eo + 0.059/n log [OX]/[Red]