Abstract
The paper is aimed at defining reduction, oxidation, and redox reactions based both on the oxidation number and charge changes in reacting species. It is rationalized that the processes of oxidation and reduction, usually occurring simultaneously, can occur also as independent processes. It is explained that in balancing chemical equations of redox reactions the “gain” or “loss” of electrons should be understood as changes in oxidation number. A formal expressions “+n e−” and “−n e−” represent in reality a decrease and increase in oxidation number by n units, respectively.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abrahamson, M.L.A., Baudin, H.B., Tran, A., Philouse, C., Berg, K.E., Raymond-Johansson, M.K., Sun, L., Akermark, B., Styring, S., Hammarstrom, L.: Ruthenium-manganese complexes for artificial photosynthesis: factors controlling intramolecular electron transfer and excited-state quenching reactions. Inorg. Chem. 41, 1534–1544 (2002)
Andrieux, C.P., Savéant, J.M.: The origin of leaving-group effects in radical reactions triggered by solvated electron reduction. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 115, 8044–8049 (1993)
Balzani, V., Carassiti, V.: Photochemistry of coordination compounds, p. 62. AP, New York (1970)
Bertini, I., Gray, H.B., Stiefel, E.I., Valentine, J.S.: Biological inorganic chemistry—structure and reactivity, University Science Books (2006)
Boag, J.W., Hart, E.J.: Absorption spectra of ‘hydrated’ electron. Nature 197, 45–47 (1963)
Boyer, R.F.: Concepts in Biochemistry, 3rd edn. Wiley, New York (2002)
Bruice, P.Y.: Organic Chemistry, 5th edn, p. 907. Prentice Hall, London (2007)
Campagna, S., Puntoriero, F., Nastasi, F., Bergamini, G., Balzani, V.: Photochemistry and photophysics of coordination compounds: ruthenium. Top. Curr. Chem. 280, 117–214 (2007)
Casper, J.V., Westmoreland, T.G., Allen, G.H., Bradley, P.G., Meyer, T.J., Woodruff, W.H.: Molecular and electronic structure in the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer excited states of d6 transition-metal complexes in solution. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 106, 3492–3500 (1984)
Clugston, M., Flemming, R.: Advanced Chemistry, p. 211. Oxford University Press, Oxford (2000)
Dolphin, D., Niem, T., Felton, R.H., Fujita, I.: Reversible intramolecular electron transfer in an oxidized nickel porphyrin. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 97, 5288–5290 (1975)
Dye, J.L.: Alkalides and electrides, in encyclopedia of supramolecular chemistry. In: Atwood, J.L, Steed, L.W. (eds.) CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp. 12–19 (2004)
Ebbing, D.D.: General chemistry, 2nd edn., p. 344. Houghton Mifflin Comp., Boston (1987)
Eliel, E.L.: On the concept of isomerism. Isr. J. Chem. 15, 7–11 (1976/1977)
Gurin M.H.: Colloidal solutions and nanocomposites of electrides and alkalides and methods of use. US Patent 7195723 (2007)
Han, Z., Katsumura, Y., Lin, M., He, H., Muroya, Y., Kudo, H.: Effect of temperature on the absorption spectra of the solvated electron in 1-propanol and 2-propanol: Pulse radiolysis and laser photolysis studies at temperatures up to supercritical condition. Rad. Phys. Chem. 77, 409–415 (2008)
Housecroft, C.E., Sharpe, A.G.: Inorganic chemistry, 2nd edn, p. 193. Prentice Hall, London (2005)
Li, Z., Yang, J., Hou, J.G., Zhu, Q.: Inorganic electrides. Chem. Eur. J. 10, 1592–1596 (2004)
Mulfort, K.L., Hupp, J.T.: Chemical reduction of metal-organic framework materials as a method to enhance gas uptake and binding. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 129, 9604–9605 (2007)
Renner, M.W., Barkigia, K.M., Melamed, D., Gisselbrecht, J.-P., Nelson, N.Y., Smith, K.M., Fajer, J.: Conformational control of oxidation sites, spin states and orbital occupancy in nickel porphyrins. Res. Chem. Intermed. 28, 741–759 (2002)
Rouvray, H.D.: Isomer enumeration methods. Chem. Soc. Rev. 3, 355–372 (1974)
Salzberg, H.W.: From caveman to chemist. circumstances and achievements. ACS Washington, DC (1991)
Slanina, Z.: Contemporary Theory of Chemical Isomerism, pp. 22–23. Academia, Praha (1986)
Šima, J.: Oxidation number—issues of its determination and range. Found. Chem. 11, 135–143 (2009)
Šima, J., Kotočová, A., Koman, M., Segl'a, P., Tatarko, M., Valigura, D.: Inorganic chemistry. Slovak Technical University Press, Bratislava (2009). (in Slovak)
Smith, H.: Chemistry in anhydrous liquid ammonia, Part II, organic Reactions in Liquid Ammonia. Interscience, New York (1963)
Vertelman, E.J.M., Lummen, T.T.A., Meetsma, A., Bouwkamp, M.W., Molnar, G., van Loosdrecht, P.H.M., van Koningsbruggen, P.J.: Light- and temperature-induced electron transfer in single crystals of RbMn[Fe(CN)6]·H2O. Chem. Mater. 20, 1236–1238 (2008)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Šima, J. Redox reactions: inconsistencies in their description. Found Chem 15, 57–64 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10698-011-9143-8
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10698-011-9143-8