Redox titration
ON WHICH PRINCIPLE?
The principle of redox is the transfer of electrons between two chemical species. It therefore depends on their oxidation states.
Oxidation state:
A chemical element has the oxidation state (or oxidation number):
n+ if it has lost n electrons
n- if it has gained n electrons
Definition:
1) Oxidation is a loss of electron(s): the element’s oxidation state increases. The substance that loses electrons is called a reductant
e.g. ferrous iron Fe2+ is oxidized to ferric iron Fe3+ by losing one electron.
Fe2+ - e- → Fe3+
2) Reduction is a gain in electron(s): the element’s oxidation state decreases. The substance that gains electrons is called an oxidizer
e.g. mercuric mercury Hg2+ turns into mercurous mercury Hg+ in what corresponds to a reduction (gain of one electron)
Hg2+ + e- → Hg+
Generally speaking the relationship between oxidizers and reductants is as follows:
ox + ne- ↔ red