Oxidation Reaction
Oxidation reactions can be defined in terms of addition of oxygen or the removal of hydrogen. There are a number of reactions in which oxygen is added, or in which hydrogen is removed.
Examples: Addition of Oxygen:
(a). CuO(s) + H2(g) → Cu(s) + H2O(l)
CuO adds oxygen to H2; CuO is therefore the oxidizing agent or oxidant, it oxidizes the H2 to H2O.
(b). C(s) + H2O(g) → H2(g) + CO(g)
H2O is the oxidizing agent; it gives oxygen to carbon, which is oxidized to CO.
Removal of Hydrogen:
(a). H2S(g) + Cl2(g) → 2HCl(g) + S(s)
Chlorine is the oxidant, it removes hydrogen from H2S, thereby oxidizing it to sulphur.
(b). 2H2O(l) + 2F2(g) → 4HF(aq) + O2(g)
Fluorine removes hydrogen from the water, therefore, fluorine is the oxidant. The water is oxidized to oxygen.
Reduction Reaction
Reduction reactions can be defined as reactions that involve the removal of oxygen or the addition of hydrogen.
Example, Removal of Oxygen:
(a). CuO(s) + H2(g) → Cu(s) + H2O(l)
Hydrogen removes oxygen from CuO, thereby reducing it to Cu. Hydrogen is therefore the reducing agent or reductant.
(b). H2O(g) + C(s) → H2(g) + CO(g)
Carbon is the reductant, it removes oxygen from steam, thereby reducing it to hydrogen.
Addition of Hydrogen:
(a). H2S(g) + Cl2(g) → 2HCl(g) + S(s)
H2S adds hydrogen to Cl2(g). H2S is the reducing agent. It reduces Cl2(g) to HCl(g).
(b). 2H2O(l) + 2F2(g) → 4HF(aq) + O2(g)
H2O here adds hydrogen to F2, thereby reducing it to HF. H2O is the reductant in this reaction.