1. Electrochemistry
Chapter 19

2. Electron Transfer Reactions
Electron transfer reactions are oxidation-reduction or redox reactions.
Results in the generation of an electric current (electricity) or be caused by imposing an electric current.
Therefore, this field of chemistry is often called ELECTROCHEMISTRY.

3. Electrochemical processes are oxidation-reduction reactions in which:
the energy released by a spontaneous reaction is converted to electricity or
electrical energy is used to cause a nonspontaneous reaction to occur 2+ 2-
2Mg (s) + O2 (g) MgO (s)
2Mg Mg2+ + 4e-
Oxidation half-reaction (lose e-)
O2 + 4e O2-
Reduction half-reaction (gain e-)
19.1

4. Terminology for Redox Reactions
OXIDATION—loss of electron(s) by a species; increase in oxidation number; increase in oxygen.
REDUCTION—gain of electron(s); decrease in oxidation number; decrease in oxygen; increase in hydrogen.
OXIDIZING AGENT—electron acceptor; species is reduced. (an agent facilitates something; ex. Travel agents don’t travel, they facilitate travel)
REDUCING AGENT—electron donor; species is oxidized.

5. You can’t have one… without the other!
Reduction (gaining electrons) can’t happen without an oxidation to provide the electrons.
You can’t have 2 oxidations or 2 reductions in the same equation. Reduction has to occur at the cost of oxidation
LEO the lion says GER!
ose
lectrons
xidation
ain
lectrons
eduction
GER!

6. Another way to remember
OIL RIG s s
xidation
ose
eduction
ain

7. Review of Oxidation numbers
The charge the atom would have in a molecule (or an
ionic compound) if electrons were completely transferred.
Free elements (uncombined state) have an oxidation number of zero.
Na, Be, K, Pb, H2, O2, P4 = 0
In monatomic ions, the oxidation number is equal to the charge on the ion.
Li+, Li = +1; Fe3+, Fe = +3; O2-, O = -2
The oxidation number of oxygen is usually –2. In H2O2 and O22- it is –1.
4.4

8. HCO3- O = -2 H = +1 3x(-2) + 1 + ? = -1 C = +4
The oxidation number of hydrogen is +1 except when it is bonded to metals in binary compounds. In these cases, its oxidation number is –1.
Group IA metals are +1, IIA metals are +2 and fluorine is always –1.
6. The sum of the oxidation numbers of all the atoms in a molecule or ion is equal to the charge on the molecule or ion.
HCO3-
Oxidation numbers of all the atoms in HCO3- ?
O = -2
H = +1
3x(-2) ? = -1
C = +4
4.4

9. Balancing Redox Equations
The oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+ by Cr2O72- in acid solution?
Write the unbalanced equation for the reaction ion ionic form.
Fe2+ + Cr2O Fe3+ + Cr3+
Separate the equation into two half-reactions.
Fe Fe3+ +2 +3
Oxidation:
Cr2O Cr3+ +6 +3
Reduction:
Balance the atoms other than O and H in each half-reaction.
Cr2O Cr3+
19.1

10. Balancing Redox Equations
For reactions in acid, add H2O to balance O atoms and H+ to balance H atoms.
Cr2O Cr3+ + 7H2O
14H+ + Cr2O Cr3+ + 7H2O
Add electrons to one side of each half-reaction to balance the charges on the half-reaction.
Fe Fe3+ + 1e-
6e- + 14H+ + Cr2O Cr3+ + 7H2O
If necessary, equalize the number of electrons in the two half-reactions by multiplying the half-reactions by appropriate coefficients.
6Fe Fe3+ + 6e-
6e- + 14H+ + Cr2O Cr3+ + 7H2O
19.1

11. Balancing Redox Equations
Add the two half-reactions together and balance the final equation by inspection. The number of electrons on both sides must cancel. You should also cancel like species.
Oxidation:
6Fe Fe3+ + 6e-
Reduction:
6e- + 14H+ + Cr2O Cr3+ + 7H2O
14H+ + Cr2O Fe Fe3+ + 2Cr3+ + 7H2O
Verify that the number of atoms and the charges are balanced.
14x1 – 2 + 6x2 = 24 = 6x3 + 2x3
For reactions in basic solutions, add OH- to both sides of the equation for every H+ that appears in the final equation. You should combine H+ and OH- to make H2O.
19.1

12. CHEMICAL CHANGE ---> ELECTRIC CURRENT
To obtain a useful current, we separate the oxidizing and reducing agents so that electron transfer occurs thru an external wire.
This is accomplished in a GALVANIC or VOLTAIC cell.
A group of such cells is called a battery.

13. - + Galvanic Cells anode oxidation cathode reduction spontaneous
redox reaction
19.2

14. Galvanic Cells
The difference in electrical potential between the anode and cathode is called:
cell voltage
electromotive force (emf)
cell potential
Cell Diagram
Zn (s) + Cu2+ (aq) Cu (s) + Zn2+ (aq)
[Cu2+] = 1 M & [Zn2+] = 1 M
Zn (s) | Zn2+ (1 M) || Cu2+ (1 M) | Cu (s)
anode
cathode
19.2

15. Standard Electrode Potentials
Zn (s) | Zn2+ (1 M) || H+ (1 M) | H2 (1 atm) | Pt (s)
Anode (oxidation):
Zn (s) Zn2+ (1 M) + 2e-
Cathode (reduction):
2e- + 2H+ (1 M) H2 (1 atm)
Zn (s) + 2H+ (1 M) Zn2+ + H2 (1 atm)
19.3

16. Standard Electrode Potentials
Standard reduction potential (E0) is the voltage associated with a reduction reaction at an electrode when all solutes are 1 M and all gases are at 1 atm.
Reduction Reaction
2e- + 2H+ (1 M) H2 (1 atm)
E0 = 0 V
Standard hydrogen electrode (SHE)
19.3

17. Increasing oxidising ability/Toenemende oksiderende vermoë
TABLE 4B: STANDARD REDUCTION POTENTIALS/
TABEL 4B: STANDAARD REDUKSIEPOTENSIALE
E0 is for the reaction as written
The more positive E0 the greater the tendency for the substance to be reduced
The half-cell reactions are reversible
The sign of E0 changes when the reaction is reversed
Changing the stoichiometric coefficients of a half-cell reaction does not change the value of E0
Increasing oxidising ability/Toenemende oksiderende vermoë
Half-reactions/Halfreaksies
(V)
Li+ + e ⇌ Li
 3,04
K+ + e K
 2,92
Ba2+ + 2e Ba
 2,90
Ca2+ + 2e Ca
 2,87
Na+ + e Na
 2,71
Mg2+ + 2e Mg
 2,37
Aℓ3+ + 3e Aℓ
 1,66
Mn2+ + 2e Mn
 1,18
2H2O + 2e
H2(g) + 2OH
 0,83
Zn2+ + 2e Zn
 0,76
Cr2+ + 2e Cr
 0,74
Cr3+ + 3e
Fe2+ + 2e Fe
 0,44
Cr3+ + e
Cr2+
 0,41
Cd2+ + 2e Cd
 0,40
Co2+ + 2e Co
 0,28
Ni2+ + 2e Ni
 0,25
Sn2+ + 2e Sn
 0,14
Pb2+ + 2e Pb
 0,13
Fe3+ + 3e
 0,04
2H+ + 2e
H2(g)
0,00
S + 2H+ + 2e
H2S(g)
+ 0,14
Sn4+ + 2e
Sn2+
+ 0,15
Cu2+ + e
Cu+
+ 0,16
SO + 4H+ + 4e
SO2(g) + 2H2O
+ 0,17
Cu2+ + 2e Cu
+ 0,34
2H2O + O2 + 4e
4OH
+ 0,40
SO2 + 4H+ + 2e
S + 2H2O
+ 0,45
Cu+ + e
+ 0,52
I2 + 2e
2I
+ 0,54
O2(g) + 2H+ + 2e
H2O2
+ 0,68
Fe3+ + e
Fe2+
+ 0,77
NO + 2H+ + e
NO2(g) + H2O
+ 0,78
Hg2+ + 2e
Hg(ℓ)
Ag+ + e Ag
+ 0,80
NO + 4H+ + 3e
NO(g) + 2H2O
+ 0,96
Br2(ℓ) + 2e
2Br
+ 1,06
O2(g) + 4H+ + 3e
2H2O
+ 1,23
MnO2 + 4H+ + 2e
Mn2+ + 2H2O
+ 1,28
Cr2O + 14H+ + 6e
2Cr3+ + 7H2O
+ 1,33
Cℓ2(g) + 2e
2Cℓ
+ 1,36
MnO + 8H+ + 5e
Mn2+ + 4H2O
+ 1,52
Co3+ + e
Co2+
+ 1,82
F2(g) + 2e
2F
+ 2,87
Increasing reducing ability/Toenemende reduserende vermoë
19.3

18. Standard Electrode Potentials
Standard emf (E0 )
cell
E0 = Ecathode - Eanode
cell
If the reaction is backwards, be sure to flip the sign!
Zn (s) | Zn2+ (1 M) || H+ (1 M) | H2 (1 atm) | Pt (s)
E0 = EH /H + EZn /Zn
cell + +2 2
Zn2+ (1 M) + 2e Zn E0 = V
So Eo Zn/Zn = V +2
E0 = V = 0.76 V
cell
19.3

19. Standard Electrode Potentials
E0 = 0.34 V
cell
E0 = Ecathode - Eanode
cell
Ecell = ECu /Cu - E H /H+ 2+ 2
0.34 = ECu /Cu - - 0 2+
ECu /Cu = 0.34 V 2+
Pt (s) | H2 (1 atm) | H+ (1 M) || Cu2+ (1 M) | Cu (s)
Anode (oxidation):
H2 (1 atm) H+ (1 M) + 2e-
Cathode (reduction):
2e- + Cu2+ (1 M) Cu (s)
H2 (1 atm) + Cu2+ (1 M) Cu (s) + 2H+ (1 M)
19.3

20. Cd is the stronger oxidizer
What is the standard emf of an electrochemical cell made of a Cd electrode in a 1.0 M Cd(NO3)2 solution and a Cr electrode in a 1.0 M Cr(NO3)3 solution?
Cd2+ (aq) + 2e Cd (s) E0 = V
Cd is the stronger oxidizer
Cd will oxidize Cr
Cr3+ (aq) + 3e Cr (s) E0 = V
Anode (oxidation):
Cr (s) Cr3+ (1 M) + 3e-
x 2
Cathode (reduction):
2e- + Cd2+ (1 M) Cd (s)
x 3
2Cr (s) + 3Cd2+ (1 M) Cd (s) + 2Cr3+ (1 M)
E0 = Ecathode + Eanode
cell
E0 = (+0.74)
cell
E0 = 0.34 V
cell
19.3

21. Le Chatelier’s Principal and EMF of a cell
If the forward reaction is favoured then emf increases
If the reverse reaction is favoured the emf decreases
 SO
If the concentration of reactants increases relative to products, the cell reaction becomes more spontaneous and the emf increases.
As the cell operates, the reactants are used up as more product is formed causing the emf to decrease
19.5

22. If a cell reaction reaches equilibrium , the cell is said to be flat
If the cell reaction goes to completion, (one of the reactants used up) the cell is said to be flat
At equilibrium, the reverse rxn pushes electrons out of the cathode at the same rate as the forward rxn pushes electrons out of the anode, and there is no net current flow - the battery is dead.
The only thing preventing the voltaic cell from reaching equilibrium is a conductor between anode and cathode (which you supply when you want to use some of the energy in the cell).

23. The greater the temperature, the greater the emf of a cell
A voltaic cell is NOT at equilibrium.
To produce a net flow of energetic electrons out of the anode, the forward rxn must be able to occur at a greater rate than the reverse rxn. When the temperature of a voltaic cell increases, both forward and reverse rxn rates increase proportionally, but because the forward rxn rate was already greater than the reverse rxn rate, the forward rxn rate becomes proportionally greater when temperature increases. Ordinarily the reaction rate is limited by the electrical resistance of the path between anode and cathode. In this case, the difference in rxn rates shows up as potential energy. Electrical potential energy per electron is voltage, EMF. When the difference in rxn rates increases, potential energy and EMF of the cell increases
19.5

24. Charging a Battery
When you charge a battery, you are forcing the electrons backwards (from the + to the -). To do this, you will need a higher voltage backwards than forwards. This is why the ammeter in your car often goes slightly higher while your battery is charging, and then returns to normal.
In your car, the battery charger is called an alternator. If you have a dead battery, it could be the battery needs to be replaced OR the alternator is not charging the battery properly.

25. Batteries Dry cell Leclanché cell Zn (s) Zn2+ (aq) + 2e- Anode:
Cathode:
2NH4 (aq) + 2MnO2 (s) + 2e Mn2O3 (s) + 2NH3 (aq) + H2O (l) +
Zn (s) + 2NH4 (aq) + 2MnO2 (s) Zn2+ (aq) + 2NH3 (aq) + H2O (l) + Mn2O3 (s)
19.6

26. Batteries Mercury Battery Anode:
Zn(Hg) + 2OH- (aq) ZnO (s) + H2O (l) + 2e-
Cathode:
HgO (s) + H2O (l) + 2e Hg (l) + 2OH- (aq)
Zn(Hg) + HgO (s) ZnO (s) + Hg (l)
19.6

27. Batteries Lead storage battery Anode:
Pb (s) + SO2- (aq) PbSO4 (s) + 2e- 4
Cathode:
PbO2 (s) + 4H+ (aq) + SO2- (aq) + 2e PbSO4 (s) + 2H2O (l) 4
Pb (s) + PbO2 (s) + 4H+ (aq) + 2SO2- (aq) PbSO4 (s) + 2H2O (l) 4
19.6

28. Solid State Lithium Battery
Batteries
Solid State Lithium Battery
19.6

29. Batteries
A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that requires a continuous supply of reactants to keep functioning
Anode:
2H2 (g) + 4OH- (aq) H2O (l) + 4e-
Cathode:
O2 (g) + 2H2O (l) + 4e OH- (aq)
2H2 (g) + O2 (g) H2O (l)
19.6

30. Corrosion
19.7

31. Cathodic Protection of an Iron Storage Tank
19.7

32. Electrolysis is the process in which electrical energy is used to cause a nonspontaneous chemical reaction to occur.
19.8

33. Electrolysis of Water
19.8

34. Chemistry In Action: Dental Filling Discomfort
Hg2 /Ag2Hg V 2+
Sn /Ag3Sn V 2+
Sn /Ag3Sn V 2+