How do you balance complex redox half-reactions, like with thiosulfate and chlorine?

Question

jhaseker · Answer

To balance complex redox half-reactions, like thiosulfate (S2O32⁻) and chlorine CI2 use the half-reaction method: split into oxidation/reduction, balance atoms (except O/H), add H2O for O, add H+ for H, add electrons for charge, equalize electrons between half-reactions, then combine and simplify, remembering basic conditions require adding OH to neutralize H+.

jhaseker · Answer

@jhaseker wrote:

To balance complex redox half-reactions, like thiosulfate (S2O32⁻) and chlorine CI2 use the half-reaction method: split into oxidation/reduction, balance atoms (except O/H), add H2O for O, add H+ for H, add electrons for charge, equalize electrons between half-reactions, then combine and simplify, remembering basic conditions require adding OH to neutralize H+.

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