Question

Question: Classify each reaction as oxidation, reduction, or neither.

a.

b.

Short answer

Answer

1. The given reaction is an oxidation reaction.
2. The reaction is neither reduction nor oxidation.

Step-by-step solution

Oxidation reactions

Oxidation reactions are characterized by the gain of electrons.

To determine if an oxidation reaction occurs in a given reaction, the bonds attached to the carbon atoms in the reactants and products are compared.

The relative number of bonds that must be compared is C-Z (where Z is an atom that is more electronegative than the carbon atom) and C-H bonds.

Oxidation reactions are identified

• by the gain of C-Z bonds or
• by the loss of C-H bonds.

Reduction reactions

Reduction reactions are characterized by the gain of electrons.

To determine if a reduction reaction is occurring in a given reaction, the relative number of C-Z and C-H bonds attached to the carbon atoms in the reactants and products are compared.

Reduction reactions are identified

• by the gain of C-H bonds or
• by the loss of C-Z bonds.

Determination of oxidation and reduction reactions

1. Bromine is a more electronegative element than carbon. Hence, an addition of a bromine atom symbolizes a gain of the C-Z bond. Hence, the given reaction is oxidation.
2. In the given reaction, one C-Z and one C-H bond are lost. Hence, the given reaction is neither a reduction nor an oxidation reaction.

Loss of one C-Z and one C-H bond