Chapter 16: Problem 566
Balance the following reaction in basic aqueous solution: \(\mathrm{SO}^{2-}{ }_{3}+\mathrm{CrO}^{2-}{ }_{4} \rightarrow \mathrm{SO}^{2-}{ }_{4}+\mathrm{Cr}(\mathrm{OH})_{3}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The balanced chemical equation in basic aqueous solution is:
\[
3\mathrm{SO}_{3}^{2-} + \mathrm{CrO}_{4}^{2-} + \mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O} \rightarrow 3\mathrm{SO}_{4}^{2-} + \mathrm{Cr}(\mathrm{OH})_{3} + 14\mathrm{OH}^-
\]
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Oxidation States
First, determine the oxidation states of all elements in the reactants and products.
Sulfur (\(S\)): In \(\mathrm{SO}^{2-}{ }_{3}\), sulfur has an oxidation state of +4. In \(\mathrm{SO}^{2-}{ }_{4}\), sulfur has an oxidation state of +6.
Chromium (\(Cr\)): In \(\mathrm{CrO}^{2-}{ }_{4}\), chromium has an oxidation state of +6. In \(\mathrm{Cr}(\mathrm{OH})_{3}\), chromium has an oxidation state of +3.
02
Write the Two Half-Reactions
Using the identification of oxidation states, we can write down the two half-reactions for the redox process.
Oxidation (Sulfur):
\[
\mathrm{SO}_{3}^{2-} \rightarrow \mathrm{SO}_{4}^{2-}
\]
Reduction (Chromium):
\[
\mathrm{CrO}_{4}^{2-} \rightarrow \mathrm{Cr}(\mathrm{OH})_{3}
\]
03
Balance Atoms and Charges in Half-Reactions
Apart from oxygen and hydrogen, balance the atoms for each half-reaction:
Oxidation half-reaction:
\[
\mathrm{SO}_{3}^{2-} \rightarrow \mathrm{SO}_{4}^{2-}
\]
The sulfur atoms are already balanced.
Reduction half-reaction:
\[
\mathrm{CrO}_{4}^{2-} \rightarrow \mathrm{Cr}(\mathrm{OH})_{3}
\]
The chromium atoms are already balanced.
Next, we balance the oxygens using \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O}\):
Oxidation half-reaction:
\[
\mathrm{SO}_{3}^{2-} \rightarrow \mathrm{SO}_{4}^{2-} + \mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O}
\]
Reduction half-reaction:
\[
\mathrm{CrO}_{4}^{2-} + 4\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O} \rightarrow \mathrm{Cr}(\mathrm{OH})_{3}
\]
Then, balance the hydrogen and charge using \(\mathrm{OH}^-\) and electrons (\(e^-\)):
Oxidation half-reaction:
\[
\mathrm{SO}_{3}^{2-} + \mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O} \rightarrow \mathrm{SO}_{4}^{2-} + 2\mathrm{H}^+ + 2e^-
\]
Reduction half-reaction:
\[
\mathrm{CrO}_{4}^{2-} + 4\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O} + 6e^- \rightarrow \mathrm{Cr}(\mathrm{OH})_{3} + 8\mathrm{OH}^-
\]
04
Combine the Half-Reactions
To combine the half-reactions, we must equalize the number of electrons in both half-reactions and then add them up. In this case, multiply the oxidation half-reaction by 3 so that the numbers of electrons are equal:
3(Oxidation half-reaction):
\[
3\mathrm{SO}_{3}^{2-} + 3\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O} \rightarrow 3\mathrm{SO}_{4}^{2-} + 6\mathrm{H}^+ + 6e^-
\]
Adding up the half-reactions:
\[
3\mathrm{SO}_{3}^{2-} + 3\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O} + \mathrm{CrO}_{4}^{2-} + 4\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O} + 6e^- \rightarrow 3\mathrm{SO}_{4}^{2-} + 6\mathrm{H}^+ + 6e^- + \mathrm{Cr}(\mathrm{OH})_{3} + 8\mathrm{OH}^-
\]
05
Simplify the Reaction
Simplify the reaction by canceling out the common components and combining the like terms:
\[
3\mathrm{SO}_{3}^{2-} + \mathrm{CrO}_{4}^{2-} + 7\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O} \rightarrow 3\mathrm{SO}_{4}^{2-} + \mathrm{Cr}(\mathrm{OH})_{3} + 6\mathrm{H}^+ + 8\mathrm{OH}^-
\]
Now, cancel out the \(\mathrm{H}^+\) and \(\mathrm{OH}^-\) using \(6\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O}\):
\[
3\mathrm{SO}_{3}^{2-} + \mathrm{CrO}_{4}^{2-} + \mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O} \rightarrow 3\mathrm{SO}_{4}^{2-} + \mathrm{Cr}(\mathrm{OH})_{3} + 14\mathrm{OH}^-
\]
And you'll get the balanced chemical equation in basic aqueous solution:
\[
3\mathrm{SO}_{3}^{2-} + \mathrm{CrO}_{4}^{2-} + \mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O} \rightarrow 3\mathrm{SO}_{4}^{2-} + \mathrm{Cr}(\mathrm{OH})_{3} + 14\mathrm{OH}^-
\]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Oxidation States
Understanding oxidation states is key to identifying changes in a redox reaction. Oxidation states help us track the transfer of electrons. To find the oxidation state, we assign each atom a number that reflects its electron count compared to its neutral state.
Here’s a quick guide on determining oxidation states:
Here’s a quick guide on determining oxidation states:
- Elements in their natural form have an oxidation state of 0.
- For ions, the oxidation state is equal to the charge of the ion.
- Oxygen usually has an oxidation state of -2, and hydrogen is +1 in compounds.
Half-Reactions
Half-reactions separate the oxidation and reduction processes in a redox reaction. They allow us to balance each part separately, making it easier to handle complex equations.
In the given exercise, the two half-reactions are:
In the given exercise, the two half-reactions are:
- **Oxidation of Sulfur:** \(\mathrm{SO}_{3}^{2-} \rightarrow \mathrm{SO}_{4}^{2-} \)
- **Reduction of Chromium:** \(\mathrm{CrO}_{4}^{2-} \rightarrow \mathrm{Cr(OH)}_{3} \)
- Balancing atoms other than O and H first.
- Balancing oxygen using \( \mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O} \).
- Balancing hydrogen using \( \mathrm{H}^{+} \) for acidic or \( \mathrm{OH}^{-} \) for basic solutions.
- Balancing charge using electrons (\( e^- \)).
Basic Aqueous Solution
A basic aqueous solution provides a specific context for balancing redox equations. These solutions contain an excess of \( \mathrm{OH}^- \) ions, which means special steps must be taken to balance equations properly.
For reactions occurring in basic conditions, once the half-reactions are balanced in acidic conditions, we add \( \mathrm{OH}^- \) to both sides to neutralize any \( \mathrm{H}^{+} \), forming water. This might lead to the cancellation of water molecules on both sides.
The reaction from our exercise simplifies as follows:
For reactions occurring in basic conditions, once the half-reactions are balanced in acidic conditions, we add \( \mathrm{OH}^- \) to both sides to neutralize any \( \mathrm{H}^{+} \), forming water. This might lead to the cancellation of water molecules on both sides.
The reaction from our exercise simplifies as follows:
- Add \( \mathrm{OH}^- \) to neutralize \( \mathrm{H}^{+} \) after combining the half-reactions.
- Combine and cancel water if it appears on both sides.
Chemical Equation Balancing
Balancing a chemical equation ensures conservation of mass and charge. Each atom and charge must be equal on both sides of the equation.
Steps to achieve a balanced equation include:
Steps to achieve a balanced equation include:
- Determining oxidation states to identify the redox pairs.
- Setting up separate oxidation and reduction half-reactions.
- Balancing atoms and charges as detailed in half-reaction balancing.
- Combining the half-reactions, ensuring equal electron transfer.
- For basic solutions, adjust with \( \mathrm{OH}^- \) and simplify.