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Lab 11 - Redox Reactions

Purpose

To determine relative oxidizing and reducing strengths of a series of metals and ions.

Goals

Introduction

The movement or transfer of electrons is central to our understanding of chemical reactions. The study of the transfer of electrons from one reactant to another is the study of electrochemistry. Electrons can move spontaneously from higher energy levels to lower energy levels within an atom. A similar movement can take place between two different chemical reactants. If there are electrons in one reactant that are at higher energy than unfilled orbitals of the other reactant, the high energy electrons can transfer to the unfilled orbitals at lower energy. This transfer of electrons from one chemical substance to another is known as an oxidation-reduction (redox) or electron transfer reaction. Consider the redox reaction (1) and Figure 1 below:
( 1 )
Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s) 
Figure 1

Figure 1: Energy Diagram for Reaction between Zinc Metal and Copper(II) Ion.

One reactant, zinc metal, has a pair of electrons at a much higher energy level than an unfilled orbital in the other reactant, copper(II) ion. The electrons in the higher energy orbital in zinc can spontaneously move to the lower energy orbital in copper(II). This electron transfer is a redox reaction. As the reactant with the high energy electrons "loses" its electrons, its oxidation state increases. In this example, elemental zinc has an oxidation state of 0; loss of two electrons raises its oxidation state to +2. Loss of electrons is an oxidation reaction. Conversely, as the reactant with the low energy orbital "gains" electrons, its oxidation state is reduced. Copper(II) has an oxidation state of +2; the elemental metal has an oxidation state of 0. Gain of electrons is a reduction reaction. In a redox reaction, the reactant that loses electrons (is oxidized) causes a reduction and is called a reducing agent. In the example above, zinc metal is the reducing agent; it loses two electrons (is oxidized) and becomes the Zn2+ ion. The reactant that gains electrons (is reduced) causes an oxidation and is called an oxidizing agent. In this example, the oxidizing agent is the Cu2+ ion, which gains two electrons (is reduced) to form copper metal. In order to have a complete, balanced redox system, there must be at least one reduction and one oxidation; one cannot occur without the other and they will occur simultaneously. For a balanced system, the number of electrons lost in the oxidation reaction must be equal to the number of electrons gained in the reduction step. This is the key to balancing equations for redox reactions. To keep track of electrons, it is convenient to write the oxidation and reduction reactions as half-reactions. The half-reactions for Equation 1 are shown below. In this example, zinc loses two electrons and copper(II) accepts both.
( 2 )
Zn → Zn2+ + 2 e (oxidation half-reaction, Zn is the reducing agent) 
( 3 )
Cu2+ + 2 e → Cu (reduction half reaction, Cu2+ is the oxidizing agent) 
In a (slightly) more complicated example, copper metal transfers electrons to silver ions, which have an oxidation state of +1. The half-reactions and the balanced net equation are shown below. Since the number of electrons lost must equal the number of electrons gained, two silver ions each accept one electron from a single copper atom, which loses two electrons.
( 4 )
Cu → Cu2+ + 2 e (oxidation half-reaction) 
( 5 )
Ag+ + 1 e → Ag (reduction half-reaction) 
( 6 )
2 Ag+ + Cu → 2 Ag + Cu2+ (net reaction) 
In this example, copper donates electrons (is oxidized). This indicates that the silver ion has a vacant orbital at lower energy than that in which two of copper's electrons reside. In redox reactions, the oxidized and reduced forms of each reactant are called a redox couple. Redox couples are written "ox/red". The oxidized form of the couple is shown on the left, the reduced form on the right with a slash in between. For example, Cu2+/Cu and Zn2+/Zn.

Part A: Relative Reactivities

In Part A of this experiment, you will rank the relative strengths of oxidizing and reducing agents by observing if reactions occur or not. A visible change will accompany each reaction. A solid or gas will form, or a color change will occur. This indicates that the unfilled orbitals in the oxidizing agent are at lower energy than the filled orbitals of the reducing agent. The reaction is the result of electron transfer. If no such change is observed, no reaction has occurred. You will test three oxidizing agents, Cu2+, Mg2+ and MnO4-, to determine their relative reactivities. The solutions that will supply these ions are Cu(NO3)2, Mg(NO3)2 and KMnO4, respectively. The reduction half-reaction for each oxidizing agent is shown below.
( 7 )
Cu2+(aq) + 2 e- equilibrium arrow Cu(s)
 
( 8 )
Mg2+(aq) + 2 e- equilibrium arrow Mg(s)
 
( 9 )
MnO4-(aq) + 8 H+(aq) + 5 e- equilibrium arrow Mn2+(aq) + 4 H2O(l)
 
You will react each of them with two compounds that may act as reducing agents, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and potassium iodide (KI). You will then test three reducing agents, Cu(s), Mg(s) and Zn(s) to determine their relative reactivities. The oxidation half-reaction for each reducing agent is listed below.
( 10 )
Cu(s) equilibrium arrow Cu2+(aq) + 2 e-
 
( 11 )
Mg(s) equilibrium arrow Mg2+(aq) + 2 e-
 
( 12 )
Zn(s) equilibrium arrow Zn2+(aq) + 2 e-
 
You will react each of them with two species that may act as oxidizing agents, water (H2O) and hydronium ion (H3O+) supplied by hydrochloric acid. Note that the Cu2+/Cu couple and the Zn2+/Zn couple are also examined in Part B of this experiment. Be prepared to compare the relative reactivities from Part A with your observations from measuring cell potentials in Part B.

Part B: Half-Cell Potentials

When electrons are transferred spontaneously (downhill in free energy), they can do work in an external circuit if the half-reactions are separated into different compartments. This is how batteries work. Such devices are called galvanic cells. It is also possible to set up an electrolytic cell, in which an external voltage (energy source) is used to drive a redox reaction in the nonspontaneous direction. Many industrial processes involve electrolysis. An important example is the production of aluminum metal from its ore (Al2O3). Separating half-reactions also allows one to measure the energy difference between the electrons in the donor orbitals of a reducing agent and the acceptor orbitals of an oxidizing agent. You will combine a series of redox couples and measure the energy differences between them. This is typically performed in an electrochemical cell. One is shown in Figure 2 below.
Figure 2

Figure 2: Electrochemical Cell for the Reaction between Copper Metal and Zinc Ion.

In a galvanic cell, the half-cells are vessels that contain a strip of the metal in a solution of the corresponding metal ion. The metal strips are called electrodes. The electrode at which reduction occurs is called the cathode and the electrode at which oxidation takes place is called the anode. Connecting the electrodes through a load forms the external circuit. As in the illustration, the load will be a voltmeter. The electrons will travel from the high energy orbitals in the reducing agent at the anode, through the external circuit, to the lower energy orbitals in the oxidizing agent at the cathode. To complete the circuit, a salt bridge, which allows ions to travel from one half-cell to the other, is used to connect the two half-cells. When a voltmeter is used as the load, the potential difference between the oxidizing and reducing agent can be measured. The first potential difference you will measure will be between the Cu2+/Cu couple and the Ag+/Ag couple. You will use this to set up your voltmeter so a positive reading is obtained. Recall from Equations 4 - 6 that copper metal donates electrons to silver ions. Copper metal is oxidized in this reaction, so the Cu2+/Cu couple is the anode. The silver ion is reduced, so the Ag+/Ag couple is the cathode. Electrons travel toward the cathode, the more electrically positive electrode, in a spontaneous reaction. The potential difference, Ecell, measured in volts V, is defined as follows.
( 13 )
Ecell = Ecathode − Eanode  
In a galvanic cell, the cell potential must be positive if the cathode and anode are properly identified. You will then measure the potential difference between the Cu2+/Cu couple and several other redox couples consisting of metals and their ions. One of the couples will be Zn2+/Zn. From Equations 1 - 3, we know that copper(II) is reduced in this reaction, so the Cu2+/Cu couple is the cathode. However, when the Cu2+/Cu couple is connected to the Ag1+/Ag couple, the Cu2+/Cu couple is the anode. What effect will this have on the measurement? If the Cu2+/Cu couple is maintained at the same terminal of the voltmeter for all the measurements, those in which it is the cathode will show negative potentials. This simply indicates that electrons are traveling through the voltmeter in the opposite direction from what was measured in the cell with the Ag+/Ag couple. Voltmeters are sensitive to the direction of electron flow (electrical current), and indicate the direction by means of the sign on the potential difference. Therefore, with this experimental set-up, a positive voltage means that the Cu2+/Cu couple is the anode, and a negative voltage means that the Cu2+/Cu couple is the cathode. Thus, you should obtain a series of potential differences that can be arranged from most negative to most positive. This order will tell you the energy relationships between filled orbitals in the metals and vacant orbitals in the ions. The couple that produces the most negative potential difference with copper will have the metal with the highest energy electrons. It will be the strongest reducing agent. The couple that produces the most positive potential difference with copper will have the lowest energy unfilled orbitals. It will be the strongest oxidizing agent. For Part B, you will use a simple version of an electrochemical cell. It will consist of a round plastic base with one center indentation lined with a porous frit which contains the salt bridge solution and indentations around the circumference for the various half-cell solutions. The metal electrodes are wires that will be placed into the solutions containing metal ions. When the leads of the voltmeter are connected to the two metal electrodes, the potential difference between the two cells will be measured just as in Figure 2 above.

Equipment

Part A: Relative Reactivities

  • 1
    ceramic spot plate
  • 3
    30 mL beakers
  • 1
    deionized water squirt bottle

Part B: Half-Cell Potentials

  • 1
    MicroLab Multi-EChem Half Cell module
  • 1
    MicroLab interface
  • 1
    voltmeter alligator clip lead

Reagents

Part A: Relative Reactivities

  • ~6 drops 0.1 M Cu(NO3)2
  • ~6 drops 0.1 M Mg(NO3)2
  • ~6 drops 0.1 M KMnO4 (acidic)
  • ~9 drops 3% H2O2 solution
  • ~9 drops 0.1 M KI
  • ~9 drops phenolphthalein solution
  • ~2 pieces Cu metal
  • ~2 pieces Zn metal
  • ~2 pieces Mg metal
  • ~20 mL 3 M HCl
  • ~30 mL tap water

Part B: Half-Cell Potentials

  • 0.1 M Cu(NO3)2
  • 0.1 M AgNO3
  • 0.1 M Pb(NO3)2
  • 0.1 M Zn(NO3)2
  • 0.1 M KNO3
  • 2 × ~1.5" copper wire
  • ~1.5" silver wire
  • ~1.5" lead wire
  • ~1.5" zinc wire

Safety

The potassium permanganate solution (KMnO4) is a strong oxidizing agent; it is also acidic and corrosive. The solution of 3M HCl is acidic and corrosive. Both solutions can attack the skin and cause permanent damage to the eyes. If either of these solutions splashes into your eyes, use the eyewash station immediately. Hold your eyes open and flush with water for at least 15 minutes. If contact with skin or clothing occurs, flush the affected area with water for at least 15 minutes. Have your lab partner notify your teaching assistant and the lab director about the spill and exposure. 3M HCl gives off acidic and irritating vapors. Add it carefully to your beakers in the fume hood on the side shelf. Avoid inhaling the vapors. Lead (II) nitrate solutions are considered toxic when ingested. Students will have access to gloves due to the use of KMnO4 and 3M HCl during the lab period. The reducing agents produce hydrogen gas when exposed to water and/or acid. Keep the reactions away from ignition sources, and rinse acid off metal before discarding it. Do not tightly cap the waste container. As with all labs, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling any chemicals and avoid touching your eyes and mouth during lab.

Waste Disposal

The solutions from Parts A1 and B of the experiment should both be rinsed into the same waste container for this lab. There will be a funnel in the container. Pour the contents of the well plate into the funnel, and then rinse the plastic base with water from a squeeze bottle. The metal wires from Part B should be returned to the set-up sheet to be used by the next lab section." The metals from Part A2 of the experiment should be removed from the reactions with forceps, rinsed with water if they have been exposed to acid, blotted to remove excess water, then discarded in the container for used metals. Do not tightly cap this container; hydrogen gas could build up pressure in it. Liquids from this experiment can be discarded down the sink drain followed by flushing with plenty of water.

Prior to Class

Please complete WebAssign prelab assignment. Check your WebAssign Account for due dates. Students who do not complete the WebAssign prelab are required to bring and hand in the prelab worksheet.

PDF file

Lab Procedure

Please print the worksheet for this lab. You will need this sheet to record your data.

PDF file

For this lab, Part A will be set up at your lab station. During the lab period, each pair should take turns going to the side shelf to record measurements for Part B.

Part A1: Ranking Oxidizing Agents

Data Table A: Reactions of Oxidizing Agents
Question 1: List the oxidizing agents in order, from weakest to strongest.
Question 2: Write half-reactions for the oxidizing agents in order, from weakest to strongest. (Hint: Remember that oxidizing agents get reduced.)

Part A2: Ranking Reducing Agents

Data Table A2: Reactions of Reducing Agents
Question 3: List the reducing agents in order, from strongest to weakest.
Question 4: Write the half-reactions for the reducing agents in order, from weakest to strongest. (Hint: Remember that reducing agents get oxidized.)
Question 5: The strongest oxidizing agent is said to have the most positive potential and the strongest reducing agent has the most negative potential. Based on your observations, list all the half-reactions (as reductions) in order from most negative to most positive.
Question 6: Consider the reaction involving magnesium metal.
  • a
    With what compound, element or ion did magnesium react?
  • b
    Write a half-reaction for what happened to this chemical. You may use a Table of standard Reduction Potentials for help.
  • c
    Write the balanced equation for the reaction that occurred between magnesium metal and this chemical.
Question 7: You also observed a reaction with zinc metal.
  • a
    With what compound, element or ion did zinc react?
  • b
    Write a half-reaction for what happened to this chemical. You may use a Table of standard Reduction Potentials for help.
  • c
    Write the balanced equation for the reaction that occurred between zinc metal and this chemical.
Question 8: Based on your answers to Question 5, will either of these combinations produce a reaction?
  • a
    Cu + Mg2+
  • b
    Cu2+ + Mg

Part B: Half-Cell Potentials

Figure 3

Figure 3: MicroLab Multi-EChem Half Cell module

Data Table B1: Cell Potentials vs a Cu2+/Cu Couple
Data Table B2: Cell Potentials in Order, with Half-Reactions
Question 9: Based on the order obtained by experiment,
  • a
    Which species has the highest energy filled or partially filled orbitals?
  • b
    Which species has the lowest energy unfilled or partially filled orbitals?
  • c
    Which species is the strongest reducing agent?
  • d
    Which species is the strongest oxidizing agent?
Question 10: Using the order you found in Data Table B2 for the cell potentials, write the half-reaction for each half-cell. Write the reactions as reductions.
Question 11: The Mg2+/Mg couple was not tested when measuring half-cell potentials. Based on its behavior in Part A, where would you place it in Data Table B2? (If you are doing Part B first, return to this question after completing both parts of the lab.)