Further remarks on the new criterion differentiating between Non-Redox and Redox Electrolytic Systems

Abstract

The new general criterion, distinguishing between non-redox and redox electrolytic systems, is based on the properties of the linear combination f12 = 2∙f(O) – f(H) of elemental balances: f1 = f(H) for Y1 = H, and f2 = f(O) for Y2 = O. The f12 is the primary form of the Generalized Electron Balance (f12 = prGEB), completing the set of balances needed to formulate a redox system, according to Generalized Approach to Electrolytic Systems (GATES). In the redox system, f12 is linearly independent on charge (f0 = ChB) and other elemental/core balances fk = f(Yk) (k=3,…,K), i.e., f0,f12,f3,…,fK form the set of independent balances needed to formulate the redox system. In a non-redox system, f12 is linearly dependent on the balances f0,f3,…,fK, i.e., f0,f3,…,fK form the set of K – 1 independent balances needed to formulation of the non-redox system. Further properties, resulting from the combination of these equations specified here, are involved with oxidation numbers (ONs) of elements in components forming a non-redox or redox system. In the GEB formulation, made according to Approach II to GEB, the prior knowledge of oxidation numbers for all elements of the system is not needed. Moreover, ‘oxidant’ and ‘reductant’ are derivative/redundant terms. The mathematical knowledge, required to answer the question put in the title, is comprised within the four basic, algebraic operations. These properties are illustrated on a complex (41 species) example of a dynamic D+T redox system, and its static non-redox (T, D) subsystems.