Redox Reactions

Oxidation and reduction reactions contribute to the corrosion of iron and degradation of other materials that conservators wish to preserve. An understanding of the chemistry of these reactions is key to undertaking effective preservation techniques.

Before reviewing this tutorial refresh your memory on atomic structure and the periodic table in any basic chemistry book, such as Chemistry for Dummies by John T. Moore; For Dummies, Hoboken, NJ: 2002.

After completing this tutorial, you will be able to:

• Define oxidation and reduction in terms of the control of electrons within a chemical reaction.
• Use the mnemonic OIL RIG to recall the meaning of reduction and oxidation.
• Understand the relationship between an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent.
• Understand how the activity series of elements can be used to predict what materials will be oxidized or reduced when left in contact with certain other materials over time.

 Enter tutorial.

Useful links on this topic:

• Chemistry for Dummies by John T. Moore; For Dummies, Hoboken, NJ: 2002.
• JAIC Online
• Chen, Runying; Jakes, Kathryn A.; “Cellulolytic biodegradation of cotton fibers from a deep-ocean environment”; JAIC 40, no. 2 (2001): 1-13.
• Di Pietro; Giovanna Di Giovanna; Ligternik, Frank ; “Silver-mirroring edge patterns: Diffusion-reaction models for the formation of silver mirroring on silver gelatin glass plates”; JAIC 41, no. 2 (2002 ):111-126.
• Drayman-Weisser, Terry ; “A perspective on the history of the conservation of archaeological copper alloys in the United States”; JAIC 33, no. 2 (1994): 141- 152.