What is the Difference Between Redox and Acid Base Reactions

Chemical reactions are the processes that transform substances into new substances. They occur when atoms or molecules interact, breaking existing bonds and forming new ones. Redox reactions and acid base reactions are two types of chemical reactions.

What is the difference between redox and acid base reactions? Redox reactions involve the oxidation of one species (loss of electrons) and the reduction of another (gain of electrons), whereas acid base reactions involve the transfer of protons between an acid (proton donor) and a base (proton acceptor).

Key Areas Covered

1. What are Redox Reactions
      – Definition, Features 
2. What are Acid Base Reactions
      – Definition, Features 
3. Similarities Between Redox and Acid Base Reactions
      – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Redox and Acid Base Reactions
      – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Redox and Acid Base Reactions
      – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Redox Reactions, Acid Base Reactions

What are Redox Reactions

Redox reactions are the reduced abbreviations for reduction-oxidation reactions. This is a class of chemical reactions involving electron exchange between different species, resulting from a change in the oxidation state of the atom involved.

Oxidation is the process in which a species loses electrons, while reduction is the gain of electrons by a species in which the oxidation state of the species gets reduced. These two processes always occur concurrently in the redox reaction. Generally, the process of losing electrons or electrons is called oxidation, and gaining electrons or electrons is reduction.

Balancing Redox Reactions

1. Identify the half-reactions: Basically, the overall equation has to be divided into two half-reactions, one for oxidation and the other for reduction.
2. Balance atoms other than O and H: Atoms of elements other than O and H should be balanced in each half-reaction.
3. Balance oxygen: Add H2O molecules on the side of each half-reaction that has fewer oxygen atoms.
4. Balance hydrogen: Add H+ ions to the side of each half-reaction that needs more hydrogen atoms.
5. Balance charge: Add electrons that have a net positive charge to the side of each half-reaction.
6. Equalize electron transfer: If there is a disparity in the number of electrons lost and gained, introduce appropriate coefficients in front of the reagents so that the number of electrons lost in one half-reaction is equal to the number of electrons obtained in another.
7. Combine half-reactions: Add the two balanced half-reactions.
8. Simplify: The final equation needs simplifying by canceling common terms.

Examples of Redox Reactions

• Oxidation by oxygen of hydrocarbons
• Rusting of the iron or tarnishing of silver
• Photosynthesis
• Respiration
• Battery reactions

What are Acid Base Reactions

Acid-base reactions are clearly among the simplest and most common of chemical processes. In these reactions, an acid, a hydrogen ion (H+) donor, combines with a base, a hydrogen ion acceptor. The products of a typical acid-base reaction are a salt and water.

One common definition of acids and bases is through the Brønsted-Lowry Theory. According to the theory, an acid is a proton donor, while a base is a proton acceptor. For example, hydrochloric acid, HCl, is an acid because it gives off a hydrogen ion; on the other hand, sodium hydroxide is a base because it accepts a hydrogen ion. The general name for the reaction between an acid and a base is called neutralization because the acid and the base cancel each other, resulting in the formation of a neutral solution. For example, in the reaction between hydrochloric acid(HCl) and sodium hydroxide(NaOH), sodium chloride(NaCl) is formed as a neutral salt, and water is H₂O.

Acid-base reactions are important in chemistry, biology, and practical life. In biology, they regulate the body’s pH. Chemistry mainly applies to titrations in the determination of the concentration of acids and bases. The acid-base reactions are useful in baking, cleaning, and digestion in daily life.

There are also different types of acid-base reactions; for example,

• Neutralization reactions involve the formation of salt and water when an acid reacts with a base.
• Acid-base titrations involve quantitative techniques to determine the concentration of an acid or a base solution.
• Buffer solutions are solutions whose pH is not going to be altered even by the addition of limited amounts of acid or base.
• Hydrolysis reactions are reactions that occur when a salt reacts with water, forming an acidic or basic solution.

Similarities Between Redox and Acid Base Reactions

1. Redox and acid base reactions involve a transfer of particles.
2. Both can be reversible under certain conditions.
3. Both can be used for analytical purposes.
4. These types of reactions can be catalyzed by specific substances, which can increase the rate of the reaction.

Difference Between Redox and Acid Base Reactions

Definition

• Redox reactions involve the oxidation of one species (loss of electrons) and the reduction of another (gain of electrons). Acid-base reactions, on the other hand, involve the transfer of protons between an acid (proton donor) and a base (proton acceptor).

Particles Transferred

• Redox reactions transfer electrons, while acid-base reactions transfer protons (hydrogen ions).

Analytical Techniques

• Analytical techniques for redox reactions include methods such as potentiometry and redox titrations, whereas analytical techniques for acid-base reactions include acid-base titrations and pH measurements.

Examples

• Rusting of iron and combustion of hydrocarbons are two examples of redox reactions. Examples of acid-base reactions include the neutralization of hydrochloric acid with sodium hydroxide and the reaction of vinegar (acetic acid) with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).

Conclusion

Both acid-base reactions and redox reactions are fundamental chemical processes. Acid-base reactions involve the transfer of protons (H+), while redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons. This is the basic difference between redox and acid base reactions.

FAQ: Redox and Acid Base Reactions

1. How are redox titrations different from acid-base?

Redox titrations involve the transfer of electrons between reactants, while acid-base titrations involve the transfer of protons. In redox titrations, a reducing agent reacts with an oxidizing agent, causing a change in oxidation states. In acid-base titrations, an acid reacts with a base to form a salt and water, neutralizing the solution.

2. Is the acid-base reaction an oxidation reaction?

No, an acid-base reaction is not an oxidation reaction. Although both involve the transfer of electrons, they differ in the nature of the transfer. In an acid-base reaction, protons (H+) are transferred between species. In an oxidation-reduction reaction, electrons are transferred between species, causing changes in oxidation states.

3. What is the difference between acid-base and combustion reactions?

Acid-base reactions involve the transfer of protons (H+ ions). They often produce salt and water. Combustion reactions involve the reaction of a substance with oxygen, typically releasing heat and light. They often produce carbon dioxide and water.

4. What is an example of a redox reaction?

When iron rusts, it reacts with oxygen in the air. Iron loses electrons to oxygen, becoming oxidized, while oxygen gains electrons, becoming reduced. This is a common redox reaction.

5. How do you identify a basic reaction?

A basic reaction is typically characterized by:

• Ability to neutralize acids
• Chemical formula containing hydroxide ions (OH-)

Reference:

1. “Oxidation Reduction Reaction.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 
2. “Acid-Base Reactions.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 

Image Courtesy:

1. “Reaction d’oxydoréduction entre cérium IV et fer II” By Grogu60 – Own work(CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Bronsted lowry 3d diagram” By Minestrone Soup at English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia