Oxidation-Reduction Reactions Chemistry Worksheet Page 5
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6.1 An Introduction to Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
Oxidation-Reduction and Molecular Compounds
The oxidation of nitrogen to form nitrogen monoxide is very similar to the oxidation
of zinc to form zinc oxide.
(g) + O
(g) → 2NO(g)
N
2
2
2Zn(s) + O
(g) → 2ZnO(s)
2
The main difference between these reactions is that as the nitrogen monoxide forms,
O
2
bjeCtive
electrons are not transferred completely, as occurs in the formation of zinc oxide, and
no ions are formed. Nitrogen monoxide is a molecular compound, and the bonds
between the nitrogen and the oxygen are covalent bonds, in which electrons are shared.
Because the oxygen atoms attract electrons more strongly than nitrogen atoms, there
is a partial transfer of electrons from the nitrogen atoms to the oxygen atoms in the
formation of NO molecules, leading to polar bonds with a partial negative charge on
each oxygen atom and a partial positive charge on each nitrogen atom.
δ+
O δ−
N
O
2
Because the reactions are otherwise so much alike, chemists have expanded the
bjeCtive
definition of oxidation‑reduction reactions to include partial as well as complete transfer
of electrons. Thus oxidation is defined as the complete or partial loss of electrons,
reduction as the complete or partial gain of electrons. The nitrogen in the reaction
that forms NO from nitrogen and oxygen is oxidized, and the oxygen is reduced.
Because the nitrogen makes it possible for the oxygen to be reduced, the nitrogen is the
reducing agent. The oxygen is the oxidizing agent (Figure 6.2).
+
→
N
(g)
O
(g)
2NO(g)
2
2
Oxidized;
Reduced;
the reducing agent
the oxidizing agent
Special Topic 6.1 Oxidizing Agents and Aging describes how oxidizing agents might
play a role in aging and how a good healthy diet might slow the aging process.
−
e
e reducing agent loses electrons
e oxidizing agent gains electrons
and thus is oxidized in the reaction.
and thus is reduced in the reaction.
Complete transfer
Partial transfer
of electrons
of electrons
O
2
bjeCtive
Figure 6.2
+ –
δ+
δ−
Redox Reactions
In oxidation-reduction
(redox) reactions, electrons
Ionic bond
Polar covalent bond
are completely or partially
transferred.
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