Comparative Balancing of Non-Redox and Redox Electrolytic Systems and Its Consequences

Abstract

In this paper, it is proved that linear combination 2· f (O) － f (H) of elemental balances: f (O) for O and f (H) for H is linearly independent on charge and elemental/core balances for all redox systems of any degree of complexity; it is the pr imary form of the Generalized Electron Balance (GEB), , considered as the Approach II to GEB. The Approach II is equivalent to the Approach I based on the principle of common pool of electrons. Both Approaches are illustrated on an example of titration of acidified (H 2 SO 4 ) solution of H 2 C 2 O 4 with KMnO 4 . It is also stated, on an example of titration of the same solution with NaOH, that 2· f (O) － f (H) is a linear combination of charge and elemental/core balances, i.e. it is not an independent balance when related to the non-redox system. These properties of 2· f (O) － f (H) can be extended on redox and non-redox systems, of any degree of complexity, i.e. the linear independency/dependency of 2· f (O) － f (H) on other balances related to a system in question is a criterion distinguishing redox and non-redox systems. The GEB completes the set of (charge and concentration) balances and a set of expressions for independent equilibrium constants needed for modeling the related redox system.