From Balancing Redox Reactions to Determining Change of Oxidation Numbers

Redox reaction is a core concept in teaching and learning chemistry. This article explores a new method for balancing organic redox reactions that requires the balancing of both atoms and charges. The H+, O, H[subscript 2]O, and e- are used as balanced vehicles in two half reactions. A non-oxidation number approach can be applied to both molecular and ionic equations. The article also provides standard operating procedures and examples. The number of transferred electrons is first determined by balancing a half redox reaction; consequently; the change of oxidation numbers can be calculated. The mathematical equation of Te- = n Te- = n [delta] ON is established, and the change of oxidation numbers ([delta]ON) can be counted by the number of transferred electrons (Te-) and the number of atoms with oxidation numbers change (n). By using this mathematical equation as a new approach, students can conveniently calculate the change of mean oxidation numbers for an assigned atom in a half redox reaction.