A.

Romero 2009

Balancing Redox Reactions

CHEM 1A

Steps for balancing redox reactions with the reaction method:

Be sure the reaction is redox
Look at the oxidation numbers for the atoms in the reaction. The oxidation numbers of some
elements must increase, and others must decrease as reactants go to products.

Write the two redox reactions

Identify what is being oxidized (losing electrons) and what is being reduced (gaining electrons).
Split the reaction into an oxidation reaction and a reduction reaction.

Balance both reactions

For each reaction, balance all elements other than O and H as you would in a normal chemical
equation.

Balance the O by adding the appropriate number of H2O molecules to the other side of the
equation.

Balance H by adding the appropriate number of protons (H+) to the other side of the equation.

If the reaction is occurring in a basic solution, add enough hydroxide ions (OH) to both sides of
the reaction to neutralize any H+. The side that formerly had the H+ now has water molecules
(H+ + OH H2O), and the other side of the equation has excess OH anions.

Balance any difference in charge by adding electrons (e) to the more positive side of the
reaction.

Look at the number of electrons in the balanced oxidation and reduction reactions. If the
numbers of electrons are not the same, multiply each equation by the smallest whole number that
will make the number of electrons in the two reactions equal. Be sure to multiply all the
coefficients in the equation by this number, not just the electrons.

Add the reactions together and cancel

Add the oxidation reaction and reduction reaction together, and cancel out anything that
appears on both sides of the equation.

Check
Make sure that the number of each type of atom and the total charge on each side are balanced.
 COLOR CODING KEY:
Balancing Redox Reactions using the Reaction Method

Steps:
Split overall equation into two reactions
Balance elements other than O & H
For each reaction:

Balance O with H2O

Balance H with H+
If in basic solution, add enough OH to both sides to neutralize the H+
Balance charge with e
Multiply through to make # of e in the two reactions match
Add reactions back together
Cancel out species that appear on both sides
Check both sides of the equation for same # atoms and overall charge
 Example #1:
In the following unbalanced redox equation, the oxidation number of each atom has been
labeled, the oxidizing and reducing agents have been identified, and the reaction has been
balanced using the reaction method.
ox
red

As2O3(s) + NO3-(aq) H3AsO4(aq) + NO(g)

+3 2 +5 2 +1 +5 2 +2 2
each each each each each

N
Element being reduced: ______________ NO3
Oxidizing Agent: ______________

As
Element being oxidized: ______________ As2O3
Reducing Agent: ______________

Oxidation Reaction: Reduction Reaction:

As2O3 2 H3AsO4 unbalanced NO3 NO

+ 5 H2 O + 2 H2 O
+ +
+4H +4H

+ 4 e + 3 e
x3 x4

3 As2O3 + 15 H2O 6 H3AsO4 + 12 H+ + 12 e 4 NO3 + 16 H+ + 12 e 4 NO + 8 H2O

Add & Cancel

7 4
3 As2O3 + 15 H2O + 4 NO3 + 16 H+ + 12 e 6 H3AsO4 + 12 H+ + 12 e + 4 NO + 8 H2O

Check:
Balanced Redox Equation: As 6
O 28
3 As2O3 + 7 H2O + 4 NO3 + 4 H+ 6 H3AsO4 + 4 NO H 18
N 4
charge 0
 Example #2: Occurring in basic solution
In the following unbalanced redox equation, the oxidation number of each atom has been
labeled, the oxidizing and reducing agents have been identified, and the reaction has been
balanced using the reaction method.
red
ox

NO2-(aq) + Al(s) NH3(g) + AlO2-(aq)

+3 2 0 3 +1 +3 2
each each each

N
Element being reduced: ______________ NO2
Oxidizing Agent: ______________

Al
Element being oxidized: ______________ Al
Reducing Agent: ______________

Oxidation Reaction: Reduction Reaction:

Al AlO2 NO2 NH3

+ 2 H2 O + 2 H2 O
+ +
+4H +7H

+ 4 OH + 4 OH + 7 OH + 7 OH
2 5
4 H2 O 7 H2 O

+ 3 e x2 + 6 e x1

2 Al + 8 OH 2 AlO2 + 4 H2O + 6 e NO2 + 5 H2O + 6 e NH3 + 7 OH

1 1
2 Al + 8 OH + NO2 + 5 H2O + 6 e 2 AlO2 + 4 H2O + 6 e + NH3 + 7 OH

Check:
Balanced Redox Equation: Al 2
O 4
2 Al + OH + NO2 + H2O 2 AlO2 + NH3 H 3
N 1
charge 2