Redox indicator

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A redox indicator (also called an oxidation-reduction indicator) is an indicator that undergoes a definite colour change at a specific electrode potential.

Fast and reversible colour change means that oxidation-reduction equilibrium for indicator redox system to be established very fast. Therefore only few classes of organic redox systems could be used for indicator aims.

There are two common type of redox indicators:

Sometimes colour inorganic oxidants or reductants (Ex. Potassium manganate, Potassium dichromate) also are incorrectly mentioned as redox indicator. It couldn’t be classified as true redox indicator because of its irreversibility.

Almost all redox indicators which are concerned to the true organic redox systems, involve into its electrochemical reaction proton as a participant. Therefore sometimes redox indicators also are divided into two general groups: independent or dependent on pH.


[edit] pH independent redox indicators

Indicator E0, V Color of Ox form Color of Red form
2,2'-Bipyridine (Ru complex) +1.33 V colorless yellow
Nitrophenanthroline (Fe complex) +1.25 V cyan red
n-Phenylanthranilic acid +1.08 V violet-red colorless
1,10-Phenanthroline (Fe complex) +1.06 V cyan red
n-Ethoxychrysoidine +1.00 V red yellow
2,2`-Bipyridine (Fe complex) +0.97 V cyan red
5,6-Dimethylphenanthroline (Fe complex) +0.97 V yellow-green red
o-Dianisidine +0.85 V red colorless
Sodium diphenylamine sulfonate +0.84 V red-violet colorless
Diphenylbenzidine +0.76 V violet colorless
Diphenylamine +0.76 V violet colorless

[edit] pH dependent redox indicators

Indicator E0, V

at pH=0

E0, V

at pH=7

Color of Ox form Color of Red form
Sodium 2,6-Dibromophenol-indophenol

or Sodium 2,6-Dichlorophenol-indophenol

+0.64 V +0.22 V blue colorless
Sodium o-Cresol indophenol +0.62 V +0.19 V blue colorless
Thionine (syn. Lauth's violet) +0.56 V +0.06 V violet colorless
Methylene blue +0.53 V +0.01 V blue colorless
Indigotetrasulphonic acid +0.37 V -0.05 V blue colorless
Indigotrisulphonic acid +0.33 V -0.08 V blue colorless
Indigocarmine

(syn. Indigodisulphonic acid

+0.29 V -0.13 V blue colorless
Indigomono sulphonic acid +0.26 V -0.16 V blue colorless
Phenosafranin +0.28 V -0.25 V red colorless
Safranin T +0.24 V -0.29 V red-violet colorless
Neutral red +0.24 V -0.33 V red colorless

[edit] See also

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