Redox Reactions

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To predict a number of redox reactions from a table of relative reactivities of some common oxidants and reductants, and then to check these predictions by experiment.

APPARATUS

The following materials are required in order to complete this experiment:,,X Reaction palette or set of semi-micro test tubes and stand,,X Clean plastic tray,,X Latex gloves,,X Goggles ,,X Set of small dropper bottles containing each of the following:

fæ Freshly prepared FeSO4

fæ 0.1M FeCl3 solution

fæ 1M sulfuric acid, H2SO4

fæ 0.1M H2O2 solution

fæ 0.1M KSCN solution

fæ 0.1M K3Fe(CN)6

fæ Freshly prepared 0.1M KI solution

fæ 0.1M sulfurous acid solution, H2SO3

fæ 0.1M K2Cr2O7

fæ Freshly prepared starch solution.

PROCEDURE

Add 10 drops of hydrogen peroxide solution to one test tube or to the palette, then a few drops of sulfuric acid. Then slowly add a few drops of iron (II) sulfate solution. Record your observations. If you predicted the formation of Fe3+ ions and a change appears to have occurred, test for the presence of the Fe3+ ions with the KSCN, as described above. Record the test result with your observations.

Continue testing the entire table by adding 10 drops of the first named substance to a fresh, clean test tube or hollow in the palette, then a few drops of sulfuric acid, then a few drops of the second named substance, drop by drop. Use one of the described tests or the natural color change of a reactant to detect or confirm if a reaction has occurred.

RESULTS

Table 1

Substance A Substance B Predicted Reaction Observations Prediction correct?

H2O2 (acidified) FeSO4 Fe2+ / Fe3+ Dark red Fe3+

H2O2 (acidified) KI I2 Brown I2

H2O2 (acidified) H2SO3 SO42- / SO3

KMnO4 (acidified) KI Mn2+ / I2 Brown I2

KMnO4 (acidified) FeSO4 Fe2+ / Fe3+ Dark red Fe3+

KMnO4 (acidified) H2SO3 SO42- / Mn2+ Brown

K2Cr2O7 (acidified) KI I2 / Cr3+ Brown I2

K2Cr2O7 (acidified) FeSO4 Fe2+ / Fe3+ / Cr3+ Dark red Fe3+

K2Cr2O7

(acidified) H2SO3 SO42- / Cr3+ Cr2+ / SO42-

FeCl3

(acidified) H2SO3 Fe2+ / Fe3+ Dark blue Fe2+

FeCl4

(acidified) KI I2 / Fe2+ / Fe3+ Dark blue Fe2+

DISCUSSION

The aim of this experiment is to predict a number or redox reactions from a table or relative reactivities of some common oxidants and reductants, and then to check these predictions by experiment. It can be said that redox reactions are those that transfer electrons. Therefore, one species accepts the electron, whilst the other loses it. The process of oxidation and reduction occur simultaneously. The oxidation number is greater in oxidation than in reduction. In addition, the E0 value in the electrochemical series for oxidation is positioned higher, and is usually a metal.

Redox reactions involve a transfer or altered sharing of electrons from one reacting species to another. If the oxidation number of an element in a reacting species changes, then that element is said to have undergone either oxidation or a reduction.

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