Balancing Equations for Reactions Occurring in Basic Solution

Balancing Equations for Reactions Occurring in Basic Solution 

If a redox reaction occurs in basic solution, the equation must be balanced by using OH and H2O rather than and H2O. One approach is to first balance the halfreactions as if they occurred in acidic solution and then count the number of in each 

Complete and balance this equation for a redox reaction that takes place in basic solution  

Analyze We are given an incomplete equation for a basic redox reaction and asked to balance it. 

Plan We go through the first steps of our procedure as if the reaction were occurring in acidic sohition. We then add the appropriate number of OH ions to each side of the equation, combining and OH to form H2O. We 

If a redox reaction occurs in basic solution, the equation must be balanced by using OH and H2O rather than and H2O. Because the water molecule and the hydroxide ion both contain hydrogen, this approach can take more moving back and forth from one side of the equation to the other to arrive at the appropriate half-reaction. An alternate approach is to first balance the half-reactions as if they occurred in acidic solution, count the number of in each half-reaction, and then add the same number of OH to each side of the half-reaction. This way, the reaction is mass-balanced because you are adding the same thing to both sides. In essence, what you are doing is neutralizing the protons 

EXERCISE 20.3 Balancing Redox Equations in Basic Solution 

Complete and balance this equation for a redox reaction that takes place in basic solution CN (aq) + Mn04 (oq) -------- CNO (oq) + Mn02(s) (basic solution) 

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