Copper redox reaction

Galvanic (voltaic) cells produce electricity by using a redox reaction. Let s take that zinc/copper redox reaction that we studied before (the direct electron transfer one) and make it a galvanic cell by separating the oxidation and reduction half-reactions. 

Selecting a Constant Potential In controlled-potential coulometry, the potential is selected so that the desired oxidation or reduction reaction goes to completion without interference from redox reactions involving other components of the sample matrix. To see how an appropriate potential for the working electrode is selected, let s develop a constant-potential coulometric method for Cu + based on its reduction to copper metal at a Pt cathode working electrode. 

Diaziridines (156) unsubstituted on both nitrogens decompose at 125 °C by a redox reaction yielding one mole of a diazirine (157) together with two moles of ammonia and one mole of ketone from two moles of (156). The reaction proceeds below 60 °C when copper salts are present (64AG(E)229). 

In this reaction, copper metal plates out on the surface of the zinc. The blue color of the aqueous Cu2+ ion fades as it is replaced by the colorless aqueous Zn2+ ion (Figure 18.1). Clearly, this redox reaction is spontaneous it involves electron transfer from a Zn atom to a Cu2+ ion. 

FIGURE K.5 When a strip of zinc is placed in a solution that contains Cu2 t ions, the blue solution slowly becomes colorless and copper metal is deposited on the zinc. The inset shows that, in this redox reaction, the zinc metal is reducing the Cu2+ ions to copper metal and the Cu2+ ions are oxidizing the zinc metal to Zn2 ions. 

How can a spontaneous reaction can be used to generate an electric current To find the answer, consider the redox reaction between zinc metal and copper(II) ions ... 

When a strip of zinc metal is added to a solution of copper(II) sulfate, the blue color slowly fades, and the zinc metal is replaced by copper metal (Figure 4-13). As copper ions in the solution are reduced to copper metal, zinc atoms are oxidized to Zn cations. This is an example of a metal displacement reaction, in which a metal ion in solution (Cu ) is displaced by another metal (Zn) by means of a redox reaction. Figure 4-13 also shows molecular views of this displacement reaction. 

C04-0103. Write the balanced redox reactions for the formation of each of the following oxides from the reaction of molecular oxygen with pure metal (a) chromium(VI) oxide (b) zinc oxide (c) copper(I) oxide. 

The reactivities of potassium and silver with water represent extremes in the spontaneity of electron-transfer reactions. The redox reaction between two other metals illustrates less drastic differences in reactivity. Figure 19-5 shows the reaction that occurs between zinc metal and an aqueous solution of copper(II) sulfate zinc slowly dissolves, and copper metal precipitates. This spontaneous reaction has a negative standard free energy change, as does the reaction of potassium with water ... 

Some electrodes are made of substances that participate in the redox reactions that transfer electrons. These are active electrodes. Other electrodes serve only to supply or accept electrons but are not part of the redox chemistry these are passive electrodes. In Figure 19-7. both metal strips are active electrodes. During the redox reaction, zinc metal dissolves from the anode while copper metal precipitates at the cathode. The reactions that take place at these active electrodes are conversions between the metals contained in the electrodes and their aqueous cations. 

The magnitude of this equilibrium constant indicates that the redox reaction goes essentially to completion. This reflects the fact that bromine is a potent oxidizing agent and copper is relatively easy to oxidize. 

The many redox reactions that take place within a cell make use of metalloproteins with a wide range of electron transfer potentials. To name just a few of their functions, these proteins play key roles in respiration, photosynthesis, and nitrogen fixation. Some of them simply shuttle electrons to or from enzymes that require electron transfer as part of their catalytic activity. In many other cases, a complex enzyme may incorporate its own electron transfer centers. There are three general categories of transition metal redox centers cytochromes, blue copper proteins, and iron-sulfur proteins. 

Gel breakers may also act according to a redox reaction. Copper (II) ions and amines can degrade various polysaccharides [1621]. 

Most of the redox reactions can be expressed using two half-reactions as described for zinc and copper. However, for the complete reaction, the number of electrons lost must be equal to the number gained. This requirement sometimes needs adjustment for instance, in case of aluminum metal taking out silver from a solution of silver nitrate, the following equations are set out ... 

The preceding section has introduced redox reactions as those involving transfer of electrons. It has particularly been noted that copper and zinc are in direct contact. So, the electron transfer occurs between the two entities over a distance of separation of the order of one or a few molecular diameters. Thus, the redox change is a chemical reaction wherein, as embodied in the description, oxidation and reduction always go side by side, or in other... 

The electrons lost by the zinc atoms are the same electrons as those gained by the copper (II) ions. Addition of the two ionic half-equations gives the overall redox reaction ... 

The formation of the [M(HA)](" 1>+ complex was confirmed in independent pH-metric experiments in the case of copper(II). These studies also provided evidence that ascorbic acid is coordinated to the metal center in its monoprotonated form. Because of relatively fast redox reactions between iron(III) and ascorbic acid, similar studies to confirm the formation of [Fe(HA)]2+ were not feasible. However, indirect kinetic evidence also supported the formation of the [M(HA)](" 1>+ complex in both systems (6). 

In these redox reactions, there is a simultaneous loss and gain of electrons. In the oxidation reaction part of the reaction (oxidation half-reaction), electrons are being lost, but in the reduction half-reaction, those very same electrons are being gained. Therefore, in redox reactions there is an exchange of electrons, as reactants become products. This electron exchange may be direct, as when copper metal plates out on a piece of zinc or it may be indirect, as in an electrochemical cell (battery). 

Electrochemical reactions involve redox reactions. Redox is a term that stands for reduction and oxidation. Reduction is the gain of electrons and oxidation is the loss of electrons. For example, if you place a piece of zinc metal in a solution containing the Cu2+ ion. A reddish solid forms on the surface of the zinc metal. That substance is copper metal. At the molecular level, the zinc metal is losing electrons to form the Zn2+ cation and the Cu2+ ion is gaining electrons to form copper metal. These two processes (called half-reactions) are ... 

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