O2 +4H+ + 4e 2H2O Eo= +1.23
O2 + 2H2O + 4e 4OH- Eo= +0.40
Can someone explain what those two equations represent?
What I'm asking is how would you set up a cell or reaction that would actually cause the following changes or equilibria to be established?
One mole of oxygen gas dissolves in an acidic solution to form two moles of water
One mole of oxygen gas dissolves in two moles of water to form 4 moles of hydroxide ions
Those two reactions seem absurd and unachievable to me as I have only come across
the disassociation of water
2H
2O
H
3O
+ + OH
-or
in an electrolytic cell
Hydrogen ions are discharged to hydrogen gas
2H
+ + 2e
- H
2and
4 moles of hydroxide are discharged to oxygen gas and water
4OH
- O
2 + 2H
2O + 4e
-Thanks
Clive