Chemical Equivalence and Volumetric Stoichiometry

Abstract

The conceptual theme of the presentation in this chapter is chemical equivalence Although definitions have been made separately elsewhere, the importance of this concept in volumetric stoichiometry more than justifies any repetitions that may be encountered here as part of an organized, orderly development. Whatever may be the mechanisms of chemical reactions or the infinite variability in conditions under which they occur, their quantitative aspects are defined by the equality of electrons lost and gained, respectively, in the mutual interactions of reductants and oxidants. In metathetical reaction (non-redox), they are defined by the equality of the replacements, returns, exchanges, or associations of positive and negative charges without permanent gain or loss to the reaction species. All this is just another way of saying that reaction always occurs “equivalent for equivalent.”