Redox indicator

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

The requirement for fast and reversible color change means that the oxidation-reduction equilibrium for an indicator redox system needs to be established very quickly. Therefore, only a few classes of organic redox systems can be used for indicator purposes.^[1]

There are two common classes of redox indicators:

• metal complexes of phenanthroline and bipyridine. In these systems, the metal changes oxidation state.
• organic redox systems such as methylene blue. In these systems, a proton participates in the redox reaction. Therefore, sometimes redox indicators are also divided into two general groups: independent or dependent on pH.

The most common redox indicator are organic compounds. Redox Indicator example: The molecule 2,2'- Bipyridine is a redox Indicator. In solution, it changes from light blue to red at an electrode potential of 0.97 V.