Question
Question: Define auto redox reaction. Balance the following equation by ion- electron or oxidation number meth...
Define auto redox reaction. Balance the following equation by ion- electron or oxidation number method?
K2Cr2O7(aq)+FeSO4(aq)+H2SO4(aq)→K2SO4(aq)+Cr2(SO4)3(s)+Fe2(SO4)3(s)+H2O(l)
Solution
In order to answer this question, this auto redox reaction is related to the redox reaction i.e. reduction and oxidation in a reaction. Also, the balancing of chemical reactions is based on the oxidation number of the atoms on both sides of the reactions.
Complete answer:
Let’s understand the complete solution in detail.
First is about the auto redox reaction. An auto redox reaction is a redox reaction in which a substance acts as both the oxidizing agent and the reducing agent.
Now, the second is to balance the given chemical equation according to the oxidation number method.
K2Cr2O7(aq)+FeSO4(aq)+H2SO4(aq)→K2SO4(aq)+Cr2(SO4)3(s)+Fe2(SO4)3(s)+H2O(l)
First, we need to identify the oxidizing and reducing agent.
We observe that chlorine atoms get reduced as its oxidation number of this elements decreases from +6 in K2Cr2O7 to +3 in Cr2(SO4)3 . Therefore, chromate ions act as oxidizing agents and undergo the following reactions.
Oxidation half reaction-
Cr2O7(aq)+6e−+14H+(aq)→2Cr3+(aq)+7H2O(l)
Now, add water to the product side and protons on the reactant side to balance the number of oxygen atoms.
Now, the Iron undergoes oxidation and acts as a reducing agent.
Reduction half reaction-
Fe2+(aq)→Fe3+(aq)+e−
Electrons should cancel out in the net reactions. Electrons will cancel out if the coefficient of the oxidation half reaction is expanded by a factor.
6Fe2+(aq)→6Fe3+(aq)+6e−
Combining oxidation and reduction half reaction, we get
Cr2O7(aq)+6e−+14H+(aq)+6Fe2+(aq)→2Cr3+(aq)+7H2O(l)+6Fe3+(aq)+6e−
Electrons get cancel out on both the sides,
Cr2O7(aq)+14H+(aq)+6Fe2+(aq)→2Cr3+(aq)+7H2O(l)+6Fe3+(aq)
Now, pair the ions with the opposite of respective charges.
Anion reactants will pair with opposite charges K+(aq) whereas cation reactants pair with sulfate ions SO42−(aq) .
Hence, the net chemical reaction will be
K2Cr2O7(aq)+6FeSO4(aq)+7H2SO4(aq)→K2SO4(aq)+Cr2(SO4)3(s)+3Fe2(SO4)3(s)+7H2O(l) .
Note:
It must be remembered that a disproportionation reaction would follow the definition of auto-redox reactions in which the same species get oxidized and reduced. Observe the change in oxidation number carefully on both sides of the reactions.