How do acid base reactions differ from redox reactions?

1 Answer
anor277
Aug 14, 2017

Redox reactions are conceived to result from electron transfer between reagents.....

Explanation:

Redox reactions are conceived to result from electron transfer between reagents, and a FORMAL change in oxidation number.

On the other hand, acid-base reactions may not necessarily involve a change in formal oxidation state.

For the general acid base reaction in water.....

#H^+ + ""^(-)OH rightleftharpoonsH_2O#,

...of course, electrons couple to form the new #H-O# bond, but the oxidation numer of #O# #(-II)#, and #H# #(+I)# is constant in reactants and products.

On the other hand we could conceive of some acid-base reactions that are formal redox reactions, e.g.

#LiH(s) + H_2O rarr LiOH(aq) + 1/2H_2(g)uarr#

This is a formal comproportionation reaction; hydride anion is oxidized, and protium ion (in water) is reduced to give zerovalent dihydrogen gas.

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