1.2.13
Redox Reactions of Transition Metals
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Oxidation of Transition Metals
Transition metal ions can undergo oxidation reactions. Remember that an "oxidation is a loss" of electrons.

Oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+
- Iron (II) ions can be oxidised by potassium manganate (VII) solution in acidic conditions.
- The observed colour change is from green to brown.
- Iron is oxidised from oxidation state +2 to +3.
- Manganese is reduced from oxidation state +7 to +2.

Half-equation to equation
- You need to understand how to construct an equation from the half-equations. Consider these two half-equations:
- Fe2+ → Fe3+ + e-
MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- → Mn2+ + 4H2O
- Fe2+ → Fe3+ + e-
- One e- is produced with Fe3+ and five e- are in the reactants of the MnO4- half-equation.
- You therefore need five times more of the first half-equation.
- MnO4- + 8H+ + 5Fe2+ → Mn2+ + 4H2O + 5Fe3+

Oxidation of Cr3+ to Cr2O72-
- Cr3+ in an excess of OH- ions (from NaOH) exists in the complex ion [Cr(OH)6]3-.
- This complex ion and be oxidised with H2O2:
- 2[ Cr(OH)6 ]3- + 3H2O2 → 2CrO42- + 2OH- + 8H2O
- The colour changes observed are from purple to green when excess NaOH is added and from green to yellow when H2O2 is added.

CrO42- to Cr2O72-
- A reversible reaction can be used to easily change between CrO42- and Cr2O72-:
- CrO42-Cr2O72-
- Use dilute sulphuric acid and sodium hydroxide to push the equlibrium to either side.

Colour change and oxidation states
- The colour change obeserved is from yellow (CrO42-) to orange (Cr2O72-).
- Chromium is oxidised from oxidation state +3 to +6.
- Oxygen is reduced from oxidation state -1 to -2.
Reduction of Transition Metals
Transition metal ions can undergo reduction reactions. Remember that a "reduction is a gain" of electrons.

Reduction of iron (III) to iron (II)
- Iron (III) ions can be reduced by using aqueous iodide ions as the reducing agent.
- The observed colour change is from brown to green.

The equation
- Fe3+ + 2I- → 2Fe2+ + I2
- Iron is reduced from oxidation state +3 to +2.
- Iodine is oxidised from oxidation state -1 to 0.

Reduction of chromium (VI) to chromium (III)
- Cr2O72- can be reducted with zinc in an acidic solution.
- Cr2O72- + 14H+ + 3Zn → 2Cr3+ + 7H2O + 3Zn2+
- A colour change from orange to green is observed.
- Chromium is reduced from oxidation state +6 to +3.
- Zinc is oxidised from oxidation state 0 to +2.

Reduction of copper (II) to copper (I)
- Cu2+ can be reduced by iodide ions. In the process, the iodide ions are oxidised by the copper (II).
- 2Cu2+(aq) + 4I- → 2CuI(s) + I2 (aq)

Colour change and oxidation states
- A colour change from orange to brown. An off-white precipitate of copper (I) iodide settles in the solution over time.
- Copper is reduced from oxidation state +2 to +1.
- Iodine is oxidised from oxidation state -1 to 0.
Disproportionation
Disproportionation occurs when an element both oxidises and reduces in a reaction.

Disproportionation of copper (I)
- In solution, copper (I) ions (oxidation state +1) forms solid copper (oxidation state 0) and copper (II) ions (oxidation state +2).
- It is therefore both reduced and oxidised in the solution.
- 2Cu+(aq) → Cu(s) + Cu2+(aq)

Example of disproportionation
- Copper (I) oxide can be dissolved in dilute sulphuric acid in a disproportionation reaction:
- Cu2O(s) + H2SO4 (s) → Cu(s) + CuSO4 (aq) H2O(l)
- Copper goes from oxidation state +1 in Cu2O(s) to oxidation state 0 in Cu(s) and oxidation state +2 in CuSO4 (aq).
- The copper (I) has been both reduced and oxidised.
1Principles of Science I
1.1Structure & Bonding
1.1.1Atomic Model1.1.2Electron Shells, Sub-Shells & Orbitals1.1.3Ionic Bonding1.1.4Representing Ionic Bonds1.1.5Covalent Bonding1.1.6Representing Covalent Bonds1.1.7Metallic Bonding1.1.8Intermolecular Forces1.1.9Intermolecular Forces 21.1.10End of Topic Test - Bonding1.1.11Relative Masses1.1.12The Mole1.1.13Molar Calculations1.1.14Molar Calculations 21.1.15Empirical & Molecular Formulae1.1.16Balanced Equations1.1.17Percentage Yield1.1.18End of Topic Test - Amount of Substance
1.2Properties of Substances
1.2.1The Periodic Table1.2.2Ionisation Energy1.2.3Factors Affecting Ionisation Energies1.2.4Trends of Ionisation1.2.5Trends in the Periodic Table1.2.6Polarity1.2.7Metals & Non-Metals1.2.8Alkali Metals1.2.9Alkaline Earth Metals1.2.10Reactivity of Alkaline Earth Metals1.2.11Redox1.2.12Transition Metals1.2.13Redox Reactions of Transition Metals
1.3Cell Structure & Function
1.4Cell Specialisation
1.5Tissue Structure & Function
1.5.1Human Gas Exchange1.5.2Blood Vessels1.5.3Atherosclerosis1.5.4Skeletal Muscle1.5.5Slow & Fast Twitch Fibres1.5.6Neurones1.5.7Speed of Transmission1.5.8Action Potentials1.5.9End of Topic Test - Neurones & Action Potentials1.5.10Synapses1.5.11Types of Synapse1.5.12Medical Application1.5.13End of Topic Test - Synapses1.5.14Chemical Brain Imbalances1.5.15Effect of Drugs on the Brain
1.6Working with Waves
1.7Waves in Communication
2Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques
3Science Investigation Skills
3.1Scientific Processes
3.2Data Handling & Analysis
3.3Enzymes in Action
3.4Diffusion
3.5Plants & Their Environment
3.6Energy Content in Fuels
4Principles of Science II
4.1Extracting Elements
4.2Relating Properties to use of Substances
4.3Organic Chemistry
4.4Energy Changes in Industry
4.5The Circulatory System
4.5.1The Circulatory System4.5.2Blood Vessels4.5.3Blood Transfusion & the ABO Rhesus System4.5.4The Heart4.5.5The Cardiac Cycle4.5.6Cardiac Output4.5.7Coordination of Heart Action4.5.8Heart Dissection4.5.9Controlling Heart Rate4.5.10Electrocardiograms4.5.11Cardiovascular Disease4.5.12Investigating Heart Rates
4.6Ventilation & Gas Exchange
4.7Urinary System
4.9Thermal Physics
4.9.1Power & Efficiency4.9.2Work & Energy4.9.3Conservation of Energy4.9.4Pressure4.9.5First Law of Thermodynamics4.9.6Second Law of Thermodynamics4.9.7Heat Engines, Heat Pumps & Refrigerators4.9.8Non-Flow Processes4.9.9p-V Diagrams4.9.10Ideal Gases4.9.11Ideal Gases 24.9.12Thermal Energy Transfer4.9.13Thermal Energy Transfer Experiments
4.10Materials
5Contemporary Issues in Science
5.1Contemporary Issues in Science
5.2Analysing Scientific Information
Jump to other topics
1Principles of Science I
1.1Structure & Bonding
1.1.1Atomic Model1.1.2Electron Shells, Sub-Shells & Orbitals1.1.3Ionic Bonding1.1.4Representing Ionic Bonds1.1.5Covalent Bonding1.1.6Representing Covalent Bonds1.1.7Metallic Bonding1.1.8Intermolecular Forces1.1.9Intermolecular Forces 21.1.10End of Topic Test - Bonding1.1.11Relative Masses1.1.12The Mole1.1.13Molar Calculations1.1.14Molar Calculations 21.1.15Empirical & Molecular Formulae1.1.16Balanced Equations1.1.17Percentage Yield1.1.18End of Topic Test - Amount of Substance
1.2Properties of Substances
1.2.1The Periodic Table1.2.2Ionisation Energy1.2.3Factors Affecting Ionisation Energies1.2.4Trends of Ionisation1.2.5Trends in the Periodic Table1.2.6Polarity1.2.7Metals & Non-Metals1.2.8Alkali Metals1.2.9Alkaline Earth Metals1.2.10Reactivity of Alkaline Earth Metals1.2.11Redox1.2.12Transition Metals1.2.13Redox Reactions of Transition Metals
1.3Cell Structure & Function
1.4Cell Specialisation
1.5Tissue Structure & Function
1.5.1Human Gas Exchange1.5.2Blood Vessels1.5.3Atherosclerosis1.5.4Skeletal Muscle1.5.5Slow & Fast Twitch Fibres1.5.6Neurones1.5.7Speed of Transmission1.5.8Action Potentials1.5.9End of Topic Test - Neurones & Action Potentials1.5.10Synapses1.5.11Types of Synapse1.5.12Medical Application1.5.13End of Topic Test - Synapses1.5.14Chemical Brain Imbalances1.5.15Effect of Drugs on the Brain
1.6Working with Waves
1.7Waves in Communication
2Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques
3Science Investigation Skills
3.1Scientific Processes
3.2Data Handling & Analysis
3.3Enzymes in Action
3.4Diffusion
3.5Plants & Their Environment
3.6Energy Content in Fuels
4Principles of Science II
4.1Extracting Elements
4.2Relating Properties to use of Substances
4.3Organic Chemistry
4.4Energy Changes in Industry
4.5The Circulatory System
4.5.1The Circulatory System4.5.2Blood Vessels4.5.3Blood Transfusion & the ABO Rhesus System4.5.4The Heart4.5.5The Cardiac Cycle4.5.6Cardiac Output4.5.7Coordination of Heart Action4.5.8Heart Dissection4.5.9Controlling Heart Rate4.5.10Electrocardiograms4.5.11Cardiovascular Disease4.5.12Investigating Heart Rates
4.6Ventilation & Gas Exchange
4.7Urinary System
4.9Thermal Physics
4.9.1Power & Efficiency4.9.2Work & Energy4.9.3Conservation of Energy4.9.4Pressure4.9.5First Law of Thermodynamics4.9.6Second Law of Thermodynamics4.9.7Heat Engines, Heat Pumps & Refrigerators4.9.8Non-Flow Processes4.9.9p-V Diagrams4.9.10Ideal Gases4.9.11Ideal Gases 24.9.12Thermal Energy Transfer4.9.13Thermal Energy Transfer Experiments
4.10Materials
5Contemporary Issues in Science
5.1Contemporary Issues in Science
5.2Analysing Scientific Information
Practice questions on Redox Reactions of Transition Metals
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