Redox titrations

All reduction-oxidation reactions involve a transfer of electrons. The oxidizing agent accepts electrons, and the reducing agent donates electrons. To establish the reaction for a redox titration it is necessary to determine the 'half-equation' for both the oxidizing agent and the reducing agent. By adding the two 'half-equations' it is possible to determine the overall equation for the titration.

One of the most common oxidants is potassium permanganate which in acidic solution can undergo the following reaction:

⇒Equation [24.1]

MnO4− + 8H+ + 5e− = Mn2+ + 4H2O