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Reduction
1. A gain of an electron or electrons
for an element or an atom in a
compound
2. A decrease in the oxidation state
(number) of a free element or an atom
in a compound
The oxidation state of any free, uncombined element is zero e.g. N in N2,
O in O2, Pb in Pb etc
2. The oxidation state of atoms of elements in a compound in group I or II is
+1 or +2 respectively.
3. The oxidation state of oxygen is usually -2, except in peroxides e,g.
hydrogen peroxide, where it is -1.
4. Hydrogen usually has an oxidation state of +1 except in ionic hydrides
(compounds with only a metals and hydrogen) then it is -1 e.g. NaH
5. The oxidation state of any free halide ion or a halogen in a binary
compound is -1.
6. The sum of oxidation numbers in a neutral compound is zero.
7. The sum of oxidation numbers in a polyatomic ion is equal to the charge
of the ion.
NB The oxidation state of a monoatomic ion is equal to the charge on the
ion.
Oxidation and reduction ALWAYS occur at the same time in a chemical
reaction. If one substance is oxidized, some other substance must be reduced.
Remember the substance oxidized is the REDUCING AGENT and the
substance reduced is the OXIDISING AGENT.
In rare cases when an element or compound is simultaneously oxidized and
reduced in the same chemical reaction, this is called disproportionation.
0
-1
-1
e.g. Cl2 + NaOH NaClO + NaCl + H2O