ADVANCED MATERIAL Writing the halfreactions of a complex red

ADVANCED MATERIAL Writing the half-reactions of a complex redox reaction in acidic or... Write balanced half-reactions for the following redox reaction: 2+ reduction: oxidation;

Solution

In the given reaction , we can see that

Zn2+ (aq) is being reduced to Zn (s) where Zn is being reduced from oxidation state 2+ to 0

and

Bi3+ (aq) is forming BiO3^- (aq) ion where Bi is being oxidized from oxidation state 3+ to 5+

therefore

The reduction half reactions is given :

Zn2+ (aq) + 2 e- ------------------> Zn (s)

and

The oxidation half reactions is given :

Bi3+ (aq) + 3 H2O (l) -----------> BiO3^- (aq) + 6 H+ (aq) + 2 e-