Question

How do acid base reactions differ from redox reactions?

Answer 1

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.