Generalized Electron Balance (GEB) as the Law of Nature in Electrolytic Redox Systems Generalized Electron Balance (GEB) as the Law of Nature in Electrolytic Redox Systems

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter Abstract This chapter refers to fundamental/general/obligatory regularities of electrolytic systems. The linear combination 2 ∙ f (O) – f (H) of elemental balances, f (H) for H and f (O) for O, provides a rigorous criterion distinguishing between redox and non-redox systems is presented as the general relation distinguishing between electrolytic redox and non-redox systems in aqueous media. As the linearly independent equation for a redox system, 2 ∙ f (O) (cid:1) f (H) is considered as the primary form of the generalized electron balance (GEB), perceived as a law of nature, as the hidden connection of physicochemical laws and the breakthrough in thermodynamic theory of electrolytic redox systems. GEB completes the set of 2+K equations necessary for thermodynamic resolution of redox systems according to generalized approach to electrolytic systems (GATES) applying all relevant, physicochemical knowledge available. GATES/GEB, perceived as an example of excellent para- digm, provides the best thermodynamic approach to electrolytic redox systems of any degree of complexity, in aqueous, non-aqueous, and mixed-solvent media. The formula- tion of GEB does not need prior knowledge of oxidation numbers for all elements in components forming any electrolytic system, within GATES/GEB, the stoichiometry, oxi- dation number, oxidant, reductant and equivalent mass are as derivative concepts. redox systems, approach I to GEB, approach II to GEB, GATES/ GEB


Introduction
According to the principles assumed in the generalized approach to electrolytic systems (GATES) introduced/formulated by Michałowski in 1992 [1], a balancing of any electrolytic system is based on the rules of conservation of particular elements/cores Y g (g = 1,…, G), and on a charge balance (ChB) expressing the rule of electroneutrality of this system. The closed systems, separated from its environment by diathermal walls, are considered for modelling purposes. The elemental f(E g ) or/and core f(core g ) balances are denoted briefly as f(Y g ) (f(E g ) or f(core g ). The balance for the gth element (E g ) or core (core g ) is expressed by the equation interrelating the numbers of gth atom or core in components as units composing the system with the numbers of atoms or cores of gth kind in the species of the system thus formed. For ordering purposes, we assume E 1 = H (hydrogen) and The ChB interrelates the charged species (ions) in this system. A core is a cluster of elements with defined composition, expressed by its chemical formula, structure and external charge, which remains unchanged in a system considered, e.g. SO 4 À2 in Eq. (54).
The rules of conservation, formulated according to GATES principles , have the form of algebraic equations related to closed systems, composed of condensed (e.g. liquid, liquid + solid, etc.) phases separated from its environment by diathermal (freely permeable by heat) walls; it enables the heat exchange between the system and its environment. Any chemical process, such as titration, is carried out under isothermal conditions, in a quasistatic manner; constant temperature (T = constant) is one of the conditions securing constancy of equilibrium constant values. Any exchange of the matter (H 2 O, CO 2 , O 2 ,…) between the system and its environment is thus forbidden for modelling purposes.
We refer first to aqueous media, where the species X zi i exist as hydrates X zi i Á n iW ; z i = 0, AE1, AE2, … is a charge, expressed in terms of elementary charge unit, e = F/N A (F = 96485.333 C/mol, Faraday's constant; N A = 6.022141Á10 23 mol À1 , Avogadro's number; n i ( n iW n i H 2 O) ≥ 0 is a mean number of water (W = H 2 O) molecules attached to X zi i ; the case n iW = 0 is then also admitted. For ordering purposes, we assume X z2 2 Á n 2W ¼ H þ1 Á n 2W , X z3 3 Á n 3W ¼ OH À1 Á n 3W , …, i.e. z 2 = 1, z 3 = À1,… . Molar concentration of the species X z i i Á n iW is denoted as ½X z i i . The n i = n iW values are virtually unknown, even for X z2 2 ¼ H þ1 [37]  ; AlO 2 À1 and Al(OH) 4 À1 are considered equivalently [27], i.e. as the same species in this medium. The ChB interrelates charged species (ions, z j 6 ¼ 0) in the system. , obtained according to approach II to GEB; this leitmotiv will be extended in further parts of this chapter. The GEB is the immanent part of GATES; the computer software applied to redox systems is denoted as GATES/GEB [1]. When related to redox systems, GATES is based on the generalized electron balance (GEB)  concept, perceived as a law of nature [1,2,14,15,22], as the hidden connection of physicochemical laws, as a breakthrough in the theory of electrolytic redox systems. The GATES refers to mono-and poly-phase, redox and non-redox, equilibrium and metastable [38][39][40][41][42] static and dynamic systems, in aqueous, non-aqueous and mixed-solvent media [26,29] and in liquid-liquid extraction systems [16,43].
The generalized electron balance (GEB) concept, discovered by Michałowski as the approach I in 1992 and approach II in 2006 to GEB, plays the key role in redox systems; both approaches are equivalent: ∴ approach II to GEB ⇔ aapproach I to GEB The GEB is fully compatible with charge balance (ChB) and concentration balances f(Y g ) (g = 3, …, G), formulated for different elements and cores Y g . The elemental f(E g ) or/and core f(core g ) balances are transformed into concentration balances: CB(Y g ) for g = 3,…, G.
The terms components and species are distinguished. In the notation applied here, N 0j (j = 1, 2,…, J) is the number of molecules of components of jth kind composing the static or dynamic D + T system, whereby the D and T are composed separately, from defined components, including water. The mono-or two-phase electrolytic system thus obtained involve N 1 molecules of H 2 O and N i species of ith kind, X zi i Á n iW (i = 2, 3,…, I), specified briefly as X zi i (N i , n i ), where n i n iW n i H 2 O; then, we have H +1 (N 2 , n 2 ), OH À1 (N 3 , n 3 ),…. Thus, the components form a (sub)system, and the species X zi i Á n iW enter the system thus formed. A solid X i •n iW (precipitate, z i = 0), as a species in a two-phase system, is marked by bold letters, e.g. I 2(s) and AgCl.
In Example 1 (Section 4.1), CuSO 4 Á5H 2 O is one of components, and Cu(OH) 3 À1 •n 9 H 2 O is one of the species in the system. N 01 molecules of CuSO 4 Á5H 2 O involve 10N 01 atoms of H, 9N 01 atoms of O and N 01 atoms of Cu, and N 01 atoms of S. The notation Cu(OH) 3 À1 (N 9 , n 9 ) refers to N 9 ions of Cu (OH) 3
Molar concentration ½X zi i of X zi i Á n iW is as follow: ðaÞ ½X zi i ¼ 10 3 Á ðN i =N A Þ=V 0 for a static system, or ðbÞ ½X zi i ¼ 10 3 Á ðN i =N A Þ=ðV 0 þ VÞ for a dynamic D þ T system (1) In a static or dynamic system, the balances are ultimately expressed in terms of molar concentrations of compounds and species, like the expressions for equilibrium constants. In particular, the charge balance (ChB) formulated as follows: interrelates charged (z i 6 ¼ 0) species of this system. In terms of molar concentrations [mol/L] (Eq. (1a) or (1b)), the charge balance has the form In non-aqueous and mixed-solvent media, with amphiprotic (co)solvent(s) involved, we assume/ allow the formation of mixed solvates X i zi Á n i1 n i2 …n iS , where n is ¼ n iA s (≥0) are the mean numbers of A s (s = 1,…, S) molecules attached to X i zi . We apply the notation X i zi ðN i ;n iA 1 ;n iA 2 ;…;n iA S Þ, where N i is a number of entities of these species in the system [25,27,28,[44][45][46]].

Preliminary information
The balances f(Y g ) and ChB will be related to some dynamic redox and non-redox systems for comparative purposes. The balances for a given system are combined according to linear combination principles, and some general properties of the resulting balances are indicated.
The components and species in redox systems are involved in GEB, charge (ChB) and elemental balances. All the balances are founded on the well-established physical, physicochemical and chemical rules involved with charge and all elements conservation, and on the so-named mass action law (MAL), with its 'old-fashioned' principles. However, to be fully compatible with the GATES idea, introduced to avoid the stoichiometric reasoning, the equilibrium law (EL), suggested by Michałowski in 2016, was put instead of MAL; the principle of EL formulation is based on the idea of Lagrange multipliers for searching the local extrema of a function that subjects some constraints, expressed by GEB, ChB and concentration balances. The Gibbs free energy G is applied here as a function of the measurable, intensive properties: p and T and the numbers of constituents are convenient in the study of chemical reaction equilibrium. The problem in question is then consistent with the GATES formulation.
The generalized equivalent mass (GEM) concept, suggested by Michałowski in 1979 [11, 19, 47] is also based on the GATES principles, contrary to IUPAC recommendations [48] based on the stoichiometry of chemical reactions. Within GATES, the stoichiometric reaction notations are used only to formulate the expressions for the set of equilibrium constants related to the system in question, not to one 'representative' reaction, selected arbitrarily.
Within GATES, the mass conservation law is not limited only to components/species of one, specified/ 'responsible' chemical reaction equation but relates to all components/species of an electrolytic system. The mass change involved with an (exo-or endothermal) effect is negligible when compared with the total mass of the system. For example, the mass change, Δm, involved with enthalpy ΔH of the reaction H 2(g) + 0.5O 2(g) = H 2 O (l) (ΔH = -286 kJ/mol H 2 O), equal Δm = ΔH /c 2 = -3.18•10 À9 g, is negligible (not measurable) when compared with 18 g of H 2 O; c = 299,792,458 m/s is the speed of light in vacuum. The neutralization or dilution gives much smaller heat effects. The resulting law of mass preservation is then fulfilled, irrespectively on whether stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric chemical reactions occur (or do not occur) in the system.
All considerations made in this chapter refer, in principle, to the systems where the elements are formed by stable/non-radioactive isotopes [2], i.e. where no nuclear (α, β + , β, or electron capture) transformations occur [7], with emission of γ and/or X-ray radiation. However, it is possible to extend the description of redox systems on the systems with radioactive elements, in which the concentrations of the respective components are expressed by dependencies, identified as Bateman's system of linear differential equations [49][50][51][52], binding quantitatively the radioactive elements with products of their decay. Radioactive elements and their decay products are also included in the balances for other elements and dependencies for the equilibrium constants.

Linear dependence of algebraic equations and transformation into identity
Linear combination of algebraic equations plays a fundamental/decisive role in thermodynamics of electrolytic systems, considered according to GATES [1]. An elementary information related to linear combination, perceived (mainly) from mathematical/algebraic viewpoint, can be found in Ref. [23]. It should be noted that the results of simple addition, i.e. f 1 + f 2 and simple subtraction, i.e. f 1 À f 2 or f 2 À f 1 , are also linear combinations of any equations f 1 and f 2 .
We refer here to the problem of linear dependency of balances, analogous to the problem of dependency of linear equations, considered in elementary algebra, see the picture below. In this context, the general property of linear independency, inherently involved with redox systems, will be emphasized.
(1) For the beginning, let us take the set of linear equations: completed by the linear combination of these equations, i.e.
Applying the matrix algebra, we see that the determinant D ¼ a 11 a 12 a 13 a 21 a 22 a 23 c 1 a 11 þ c 2 a 21 c 1 a 12 þ c 2 a 22 c 1 a 13 þ c 2 a 23 (6) has zero value irrespectively on the c 1 and c 2 values; at D = 0, calculation of x 1 , x 2 and x 3 is then impossible.
(2) Let us consider the set of G + 1 equations: After multiplying the equations by the numbers ω g e R and addition of the resulting equations, we get the linear combination Formation of linear combinations is applicable to check the linear dependency or independency of the balances. A very useful/effective manner for checking/stating the linear dependence of the balances is the transformation of an appropriate system of equations to the identity, 0 = 0 [2,23]. For this purpose, we will try, in all instances, to obtain the simplest form of the linear combination. To facilitate these operations, carried out by cancellation of the terms on the left and right sides of equations after changing sides of these equations, we apply the equivalent forms of the starting equations f g (x) = 0: f g ðxÞ : ϕ g ðxÞ À b g ¼ 0 ⇔ ϕ g ðxÞ ¼ b g ⇔ À f g ðxÞ : À ϕ g ðxÞ ¼ Àb g ⇔ b g ¼ ϕ g ðxÞ (8) In this notation, f g (x) will be essentially treated not as the algebraic expression on the left side of the equation f g (x) = 0, but as an equation that can be expressed in alternative forms presented above.
We refer now to the set of linear, algebraic equations where a gi are the coefficients and b g is the free terms. Multiplying Eq. (9) by ω g , after subsequent summation and rearrangement, we have Assuming from Eqs. (10) and (11) we have Referring to the problem in question, and placing x i = N i , x 0j = N 0j in Eq. (11), we write Then for ChB (Eq. (2a)), where the right side equals zero, we have The charge balance (ChB) is expressed by Eqs. (2a) and (2b), where X i zi is defined by Eq. (1a) (for a static system) or Eq. (1b) (for a dynamic system). The elemental/core balances: f(H), f(O) and f(Y g ) (Y g 6 ¼ H, O, g = 3,…, G) are written as follows: where a gi and b gj are the numbers of atoms/cores of gth kind in the ith species as a constituent of the system and in the component of jth kind, respecively. Denoting, for a moment, ω 1 = -1, ω 2 = 2, we transform the balance In Eq. (17), f 1 * and f 2 * have the shape similar to the general expression for f g (g = 3,…, G) in Eq. (15).
In the balances related to aqueous media, the terms involved with water, i.e. N 0j (for j related to H 2 O, as the component), N 1 , and all n i = n iW are not involved (in f 0 , f 3 ,…, f G ) or are cancelled within f 12 (Eq. (17)). Other species, such as CH 3  On the basis of relations (13) and (17), the linear combination of G + 1 balances f 0 , f 12 , f 3 ,…, f G expressed by Eq. (14) can be presented in equivalent forms: All multipliers at N i and N 0j in Eq. (18a) are cancelled simultaneously, if we have for all i = 1,…, I and j = 1,…, J; then Eq. (18) is transformed into identity Transformation of a set of the equations into the identity, 0 = 0, proves the linear dependence between the equations considered. Then from Eq. (18a), we have i.e. f 12 is the dependent balance.
Briefly, from G + 1 starting balances: is the dependent balance, we have G À 1 independent balances: f 0 , f 3 ,…, f G ; it is the case related to non-redox systems. If f 12 is the independent balance, we have G independent balances: f 0 , f 12 , f 3 ,…, f G , that will be rearranged, optionally, as the set (f 12 , f 0 , f 3 ,…, f G ) related to GEB, ChB and f (Y g ) (g = 3,…, G), respectively. The number of elemental/core balances f(Y g ) (Y g 6 ¼ H, O, g = 3,…, G) and then the number of concentration balances CB(Y g ) in redox systems equals K = G À 2.
As stated above, the linear combination of 2•f(O) À f(H) with ChB and elemental/core balances f(Y g ) (g = 3,…, G) provides the criterion distinguishing between non-redox and redox systems of different complexity [3,23]. To obtain the simplest form of the linear combination, some useful/general rules allowing to select multipliers ω g of the corresponding balances are suggested. Namely, the ω g values in Eq. (10) are equal to the oxidation numbers of the electron-non-active elements in the related system. The proper linear combination of the balances is reducible (a) to the identity, 0 = 0, for non-redox systems or (b) to the simplest equation different from (not reducible to) the identity, but involving some terms related to the species and components of the system. This way we state that 2•f(O) À f(H) is linearly dependent on the other balances in non-redox systems, i.e. it is not a new/independent balance in such systems. In redox systems, the balance 2•f(O) À f(H) and its linear combinations with ChB and f(Y g ) (g = 3,…, G) are the new equation, completing, as the generalized electron balance (GEB), the set of equations needed for resolution of electrolytic redox systems.
Static and dynamic non-redox and redox systems, with water as the main component, are considered. A static system of volume V 0 mL is obtained by disposable mixing different components. The dynamic system is realized according to the titrimetric mode. At defined point of the titration B (C, V) ) A (C 0 , V 0 ), denoted briefly as T ) D, V mL of titrant T containing the component B (C mol/L) is added into V 0 mL of titrand D containing the component A (C 0 mol/L), and V 0 + V mL of D + T system/mixture is thus obtained, if the assumption of volume additivity is valid/tolerable; then D and T are sub-systems of the D + T system. The progress of the titration is represented by the fraction titrated Φ [11,19,47,53,54] value For comparative purposes, we first refer to non-redox systems, where the derivation of relevant formulas will be carried out in detail also for training purposes. The regularities resulting from these examples, namely linear dependency of (linear) algebraic equations stated for nonredox electrolytic systems, will provide the reference point for further parts of this chapter, where redox systems are considered. Further examples in this chapter, related only to redox systems, will be presented in a synthetic manner, indicating the similarities and differences in the respective equations. The conclusions drawn here will provide the basis for further, important generalizations. f 1 ¼ f ðHÞ : Simple addition of the elemental/core balances (Eqs. (24)- (27)) gives the identity As we see, the multipliers ω g in the transformed identity are equal to oxidation numbers of the indicated elements. In the resulting D + T mixture (two-phase system of volume ca. V 0 + V mL), we have the species as in Example 1 and, additionally: Cu(OH) 2 (N 12 , n 12 ), Na +1 (N 13 , n 13 ). From the balances: That means we obtain the identity, 0 = 0, for The terms within (…)'s in Eqs. (29) and (30) are the same as in Eqs. (22) and (23).

A comment
The Then, the linear combination of the balances related to a non-redox system, when put in context with Eqs. (19) and (20) gives the identity 0 = 0. This regularity is obligatory for all non-redox systems considered above (Examples 1 and 2), and elsewhere, e.g. [22,37,55]. Note In further sections, we formulate the balances for redox systems containing one, two or three electron-active elements in redox systems (aqueous media), where the complete set of expressions for independent equilibrium constants interrelating concentrations of different species is involved. We start our considerations from the systems with one electron-active element involved with disproportionation and symproportionation [5,13,15,16,19]. These properties are appropriate for the elements that form compounds and species at three or more oxidation degrees. In particular, bromine (Br) forms the species on five oxidation degrees (-1, -1/3, 0, 1, 5), see Figure 1, e.g. 0 (for Br 2 ) and 1 (for HBrO or NaBrO) e (-1, 5). There are possible transitions between different bromine species, associated with changes of the oxidation states of this element, see The balances can be formulated as follows: f 2 ¼ f ðOÞ : Then we formulate the linear combinations: For comparative purposes, we formulate also the linear combination where Z Br = 35 is the atomic number for bromine (Br).
All the linear combinations (42)- (46) are not reducible to identity, 0 = 0; in the simplest case, we have six constituents (species, components) involved in f 0123 (Eq. (44)). Eqs. (42)-(46) are equivalent forms of GEB, expressed in terms of particular constituents (components, species). To express them in terms of molar concentrations, we apply the relations: (1a) and C 0 •V 0 = 10 3 •N 01 /N A , CV = 10 3 •N 03 /N A . In this way, we consider the titration of V 0 mL of Br 2 (C 0 mol/L) solution with V mL of C mol/L NaOH solution added up to a defined point of the titration. In particular, from Eq. (46), we have the balance for GEB completed by the balances for ChB, CB(Br) and CB(Na): In this section, we apply the approach I to GEB, known also as the 'short' version of GEB, where prior knowledge of oxidation numbers of all elements in the system is assumed/required.
In the NaOH (C, V) ) Br 2 (C 0 , V 0 ) system considered in Section 4.2, bromine is the only electron-active element, considered as the carrier of its own, bromine electrons. One atom of Br has Z Br bromine electrons, and then one molecule of Br 2 has 2Z Br bromine electrons, i.e. N 01 molecules of Br 2 involve 2Z Br •N 01 bromine electrons. The oxidation degree x of an atom in simple species, such as ones formed here by bromine, is calculated on the basis of known oxidation degrees: +1 for H and -2 for O and external charge of this species. Then for HBrO 3 , we have, by turns: for HBrO: The oxidation number is the net charge resulting from the presence of charge carriers, inherently involved in an atom: protons in nuclei and orbital electrons, expressed in elementary charge units-as +1 for protons and -1 for electrons. The number y of bromine electrons in one molecule of HBrO 3 is calculated from the formula: Z Br •(+1) + y•(-1) = 5, i.e., bromine in HBrO 3 involves y = Z Br -5 bromine electrons, etc. On this basis, we state that [15] Balancing the bromine electrons, we get Eq. (46), and then Eq. (46a), considered as the GEB obtained immediately from the approach I to GEB; this proves the equivalency of approaches I and II to GEB.

Preparation of an algorithm and computer program
Let us refer again to balances (46a)-(46d) interrelating concentrations [X i zi ] of the species X i zi with the total concentrations C 0 , C of indicated components of the system. In this place, one should distinguish between the terms equation and equality. The term equation is related here From the interrelations obtained on the basis of equilibrium data [56] collected in Table 1 we have  where logK e1 = 6AE 01 , logK ei = 2AE 0i (i = 2, 3, 4); A = 16.92; pK 51 = ÀlogK 51 , pK 11 = ÀlogK 11 , pK W = ÀlogK W .  Modification of the computer program makes it possible to carry out calculations for other systems associated with bromine, e.g. for the system NaOH (C, V) ) HBrO (C 0 , V 0 ). In this case, the changes are made in the following lines: Computer program for the NaOH_HBrO system The systems considered here are characterized by distinctly marked jumps in E and pH values (Figures 2A and B) at the vicinity of the equivalence points, occurring at Φ eq1 = 1 for NaOH (C, V) ! HBrO (C 0 , V 0 ) (system I), and at Φ eq2 = 2 for NaOH (C, V) ! Br 2 (C 0 , V 0 ) (system II), see Table 2 [ 15,16].
Reactions occurred in the systems I and II can be formulated from the analysis of the respective speciation diagrams. As results from Figure 2C, the disproportionation reaction in the system I occurs according to the scheme i.e. Φ eq = 2 ) CV eq1 = 2C 0 V 0 . After crossing the equivalent point, the main products of this disproportionation reaction are Br À1 and BrO 3

À1
, not Br À1 and BrO À1 corresponding to the reaction  (48) is more than 4 orders of magnitude greater than the efficiency of reaction (49).

Titration in NaOH
The curves plotted in Figure 3a-c are related to titration of V 0 = 10 mL of HIO (C 0 = 0.1 mol/L) with V mL of C = 0.1 mol/L NaOH. At the initial part of the titration, we have the reactions: The increase in [I À1 ] is accompanied by an increase in [I 3 This leads to the gradual disappearance of I 2(s) (which is ultimately ended at Φ = 0.5347) and lowering of [I 2 ] and [I 3

À1
]; all them disproportionate 3ðI 2ðsÞ , I 2 , At [I 2(s) ] > 0, we have [I 2 ] = s = const; s = 1.33Á10 À3 mol/L is the solubility of I 2(s) in water, at 20 C. Finally, the disproportionation of HIO, affected by NaOH, can be expressed by the equation Note that the stoichiometry of the reaction (54) is 3 : 3 = 1 : 1, which corresponds to the jump on the curves presented in Figures 3a,b,  ] = 2, i.e. the stoichiometry of the products of reaction (54) equals to 1 : 2. The jumps on the curves E = E(Φ) and pH = pH(Φ) (Figures 3a,b) occur at Φ ca. 0.2 (which corresponds to the stoichiometry 1:5 of the reaction (50)) and at Φ ca. 1 (which corresponds to the stoichiometry 3:3 = 1:1 of the reaction (54)); the maxima on the corresponding derivative curves in Figures 4a,b fit the stoichiometric ratios.
and then, the reaction occurs. Then I À1 from Eq. (55) and I 2 from Eq. (56) form I 3 À1 in the reaction I 2 + I À1 = I 3 À1 and ] increases. At Φ = 0.4654, I 2(s) appears as the solid phase In the algorithm, we have allowed the participation of Cl À1 ions from HCl solution in the redox reaction. However, the concentration of Cl 2 and HClO as the main products of Cl À1 oxidation (Figure 5b) is quite negligible. This way, one can state that the Cl À1 ions practically do not participate in the redox reaction as a reducing agent. From linear combination of reactions (55) and (multiplication by 5 and 2 respectively), cancellations and division by 3, we get the reaction See Figure 5a.

Disproportionation in static redox systems
In disproportionating redox systems, it is advisable to check an effect of dilution of the corresponding solutes on values of the corresponding variables. It is advisable to plot the desired relationships in the figures with the values pC = -logC on the abscissa, where C is the concentration [mol/L] of the solute considered. Formally, the related plots correspond to presentation, in extended logarithmic scale, the results of titration of the initial solution of this solute with pure water as a titrant T.
The static systems with C mol/L solutions of (1) HIO and (2) NaIO are shown graphically in Figures 6a-c and 7a-c, where pH, E and log ½X i zi values related to different concentrations C of the corresponding solutes with the values pC = ÀlogC on the abscissa.
This change in disproportionation scheme, more significant at pC 4-5, resulted in a change of the shapes of the plots: E = E(pC) (Figure 6a) and pH = pH(pC) (Figure 6b).

C mol/L NaIO
The disproportionation of IO À1 introduced by NaIO proceeds mainly according to the scheme 3HIO = IO 3 À1 + 2I À1 + 3H +1 (see Figure 7c), ] ffi 2. Concentration of I 2 is lower than 10 À6 mol/L and then solid I 2(s) is not formed. 6. Symproportionating systems 6.1. Titration in KBrO 3 (C, V) ) NaBr (C 0 , V 0 ) system In this case, symproportionation practically does not occur ( Figure 8a); concentration of HBrO, as the major product formed in the symproportionation reaction is ca. 10 À6 mol/L. The potential E increases monotonically (Figure 8b), whereas pH first increases, passes through maximum and then decreases (Figure 8c). The relevant pH and E changes are small. Binding the H +1 ions in reaction (61) causes a weakly alkaline reaction (Figure 8b).

Titration in KBrO 3 (C, V)
) NaBr (C 0 ) + H 2 SO 4 (C 03 ) V 0 system The stoichiometry 1:5, i.e. Φ eq = 0.2, stated for C 03 values indicated at the curves plotted in Figure 9 (column a), results from reaction For Φ > 0.2, an increase of efficiency of the competitive reaction is noted. A growth of C 03 value causes a small extension of the potential range in the jump region, on the side of higher E values ( Figure 9, column b). With an increase in the C 03 value, the graphs of pH vs. Φ resemble two almost straight-line segments intersecting at Φ eq = 0.2 ( Figure 9, column c). However, the pH ranges covered by the titration curves are gradually narrowed (Figure 9, column c).

Redox systems with two electron-active elements
In the redox systems considered above, one electron-active element was involved in disproportionation or symproportionation reactions affected by NaOH (in dynamic systems) or water (in static systems). In the HCl (C, V) ) NaIO (C 0 , V 0 ) system, where HCl was used as disproportionating reagent, the possibility of oxidation of Cl À1 ions was allowed a priori, in which HCl was used as a disproportionating reagent, i.e. chlorine in HCl was treated as an electron-active element. It turned out, however, that the oxidation of Cl À1 occurred only in an extremely small extent, ca. 10 À16 /10 À2 ≈ 10 À14 part of Cl À1 ions was oxidized. So, we can consider that it is virtually the disproportionation of IO À1 ions originating from the NaIO.
In this section, we consider the systems where two electron-active elements are factually present.
7.1. Titration in K 2 Cr 2 O 7 (C, V) ) KI (C 0 ) + H 2 SO 4 (C 01 ) V 0 system On this basis, we formulate f 1 = f(H), f 2 = f(O) and then:  77) is identical with the one obtained immediately on the basis of the approach I to GEB [4]. The E = E(Φ) and pH = pH(Φ) and some speciation curves for iodine and chromium species are plotted in Figures 10 and 11, where Φ is the fraction titrated.
For C 01 = 0.01, I 2 , I 2(s) and I 3 À1 are formed in reactions: where predominating products are involved. Binding the H +1 ions corresponds to the pH increase, which is largest for low C 01 value (relatively low buffer capacity of the solution, compare with [53,54,[58][59][60]). In reactions (78)
At C 01 = 0.05, the function E = E(Φ) has a complex course: it first increases, reaches a maximum at Φ = 0.295, then decreases, reaches a minimum at Φ = 1, increases again, passes through a flat maximum at Φ ca. 1.6 and decreases. The curve pH = pH(Φ) breaks at Φ = 1/6 and Φ = 1. The I 2(s) exists as the equilibrium solid phase at 0.0934 < Φ < 0. ] grows with growth of C 01 value. The stoichiometry at Φ = Φ eq2 = 1 is described by the reaction and by reactions where HSO 4
At C 01 ≥ 0.1, a jump on the E = E(Φ) curve at Φ = 1/6 is clearly marked. The growth of jump at Φ = 1 results from a more significant decrease in the [I 2 ] value at Φ > 1. The E-range covered by the jump at Φ = 1 extends with an increase in the C 01 value (Figure 10a). For more details, see Ref. [4]. Figure 11. Speciation diagrams plotted for iodine (a1, a2, a3) and chromium (b1, b2, b3) species, at indicated C 01 values.
It should also be added that GATES/GEB enables to verify experimental results. Such a case was mentioned in Ref. [18] to the system, where KIO 3 (C 0 ) + HCl (C 01 ) + H 2 SeO 3 (C 02 ) + HgCl 2 (C 03 ) was titrated with ascorbic acid (C 6 H 8 O 6 ). Authors of the work [61] cited in there committed, among other things, a simple mistake resulting from improper recalculation of numerical values of potentials; for more details, see Refs. [1,17,18].
In all instances, full attainable (quantitative+qualitative) physicochemical knowledge was involved in the related algorithms. The quantitative knowledge was related to the complete set of equilibrium constants values, whereas qualitative knowledge was helpful in aspect of metastable and kinetic systems.

An illustrative presentation of the approach I to GEB
A redox reaction can also participate two or more electron-active elements. In this convention, the approach I to GEB can be perceived as the card game, with electron-active elements as 'players', electron-non-active elements-as 'fans', and electrons-as 'money' transferred between 'players', see the picture from Ref. [62]. The 'players' provide a common pool of their own electrons into the system in question. The 'money' is transferred between 'players'. As a result of the game, the players' accounts are changed, while the fans' accounts remain intact/ unchanged, in this convention.
balances. Then, the linear independency/dependency of 2Áf(O)f(H) on the other balances is the general criterion distinguishing between redox and non-redox systems. The equation for 2Áf (O)f(H), considered as the primary form of GEB, pr À GEB ¼ 2 Á f ðOÞ À f ðHÞ, is the basis of GEB formulation for redox systems according to approach II to GEB.
Ultimately, GEB, ChB and elemental/core balances are expressed in terms of molar concentrations-to be fully compatible/congruent with expressions for equilibrium constants, interrelating molar concentrations of defined species, on the basis of the mass action law applied to correctly written reaction equation. The mass action law is the one and only chemical law applied in GATES. A complete set of independent (non-contradictory [22]) relations for the equilibrium constants is needed for this purpose.
When compared with the approach I, the approach II to GEB offers several advantages. Although derivation of GEB according to the approach II is more laborious, it enables to formulate this balance without prior knowledge of oxidation numbers for the elements involved frequently in complex components and species of the system. Only the composition (expressed by chemical formula) of components forming the system and composition of the species formed in the system, together with their external charges, are required, i.e. it provides an information sufficient to formulate the GEB; it is the paramount advantage of the approach II to GEB. Anyway, the oxidation number, representing the degree of oxidation of an element in a compound or a species, is commonly perceived as a contractual concept. In this regard, formulation of GEB according to approach II is more useful than the approach I when applied to complex organic species in redox systems of biological origin [63][64][65][66][67]. The approach II to GEB is advantageous/desired, inter alia, for redox systems where radical and ion-radical species are formed. What is more, the 'players' and 'fans', as ones perceived from the approach I to GEB viewpoint, are not indicated a priori within the approach II to GEB. The approach I, considered as a 'short' version of GEB, is more convenient when oxidation numbers for all elements of the system are known beforehand. Within the approaches I and II to GEB, the roles of oxidants and reductants are not ascribed a priori to particular components forming the redox system and to the species formed in this system. In other words, full 'democracy' is established a priori within GATES/GEB, where the oxidation number, oxidant, reductant, equivalent mass and stoichiometric reaction notation are the redundant concepts only.
The 1 + K balances composed of ChB and K concentration balances related to equations (not equalities, see e.g. Eq. (40)) for elemental balances form a complete set of equations related to a non-redox system. The set of 1 + K variables in x = (pH, pX 1 ,…, pX K ) T is involved in the algorithm applied for calculation purposes. For example, 1 + K = 1 + 2 = 3 balances are related to non-redox systems presented in Examples 1 and 2, with independent variables represented by components of the vector x = (pH, pCu, pSO 4 ) T . In this context, Eq. (35) is considered as equality, not equation.
The 2 + K balances composed of GEB, ChB and K concentration balances related to equations (not equalities) for elemental balances form a complete set of equations related to the redox system. The set of 2 + K variables in x = (E, pH, pX 1 ,…, pX K ) T is involved in the algorithm applied for calculation purposes. In this chapter, some results of the simulations of electrolytic redox systems, made according to the GATES/ GEB principles, with use of iterative computer programs, are graphically presented and discussed. The computer simulation realized within GATES with use of iterative computer programs, e.g. MATLAB, provides quite a new quality in knowledge gaining. It enables to follow the details of the process, registered with use of measurable quantities, such as pH and/or potential E. All these calculations are made under assumption that the relevant reactions take place in quasi-static manner under isothermal conditions. The reactions proceeding in the respective systems were formulated under assumption that all equilibrium constants found in the relevant tables and then used in the calculations are correct.
The number of electron-active elements (considered as 'players', in terms of the approach I to GEB) in a redox system, is practically unlimited and adapted according to current needs; among others, the systems with one, two, three [13] or four [1,18] 'players' were considered.
The GATES and GATES/GEB (in particular) can be applied for thermodynamic resolution of systems of any degree of complexity. An example is the four-step process involved with iodometric method of copper(+2) determination, considered in detail in Refs. [14,68], where 47 species are involved in the system with three electron-active elements, eight equations and two equalities, interrelated in 35 independent expressions for equilibrium constants. The systems with similar complexity were resolved. The complexity is limited, however, by factors of the qualitative and quantitative nature, that is, the knowledge of species the knowledge of equilibrium constants interrelating concentration of complex species with concentrations of their constituting parts. The physicochemical data are incomplete or not reliable, in many cases. This problem was raised lately in Ref. [12].
Each of the components of x = (pH, pX 1 ,…, pX K ) T is informally ascribed to the corresponding balance: ChB, and the corresponding concentration balances for elements/cores 6 ¼ H, O. Each of the components of x = (E, pH, pX 1 ,…,pX k ) T is informally ascribed to the corresponding balance: GEB, ChB, and the corresponding concentration balances for elements/cores 6 ¼ H, O. A unequivocal solution of equations is obtained when the number of independent equations equals to the number of independent variables; it is the 'iron rule' obligatory in mathematics; pe =log[e À1 ] = A•E, where 1/A = RT/F•ln10, pH = -log[H +1 ], pX i = -log½X zi i .
GATES avoids the necessity of quantitative inferences based on fragile/rachitic chemical reaction notation, involving only some of the species existing in the system; it is only a faint imitation of a true, algebraic notation. From the GATES viewpoint, the 'stoichiometry' can be perceived as a mnemonic term only. In calculations, the metastable state is realized by omission of potential products in the related balances, whereas 'opening' a reaction pathway in metastable state is based on insertion of possible (from equilibrium viewpoint) products in the related balances [17,18]. One can also test the interfering effects of different kinds.
All the inferences made within GATES/GEB are based on firm, mathematical (algebraic) foundations. The proposed approach allows us to understand far better all physicochemical phenomena occurring in the system in question and improve some methods of analysis. All the facts testify very well about the potency of simulated calculations made, according to GATES, on the basis of all attainable physicochemical knowledge. Testing the complex redox and non-redox systems with use of iterative computer programs deserves wider popularization among physicochemists and chemists-analysts.
The GATES/GEB is put in context with constructivistic and deterministic principles, and GEB is perceived as the general law of nature, referred to as electrolytic (aqueous media) redox systems. It is proved that stoichiometry of reactions is not a primary concept in chemistry, and its application provides false results, for obvious reasons. From the GATES viewpoint, the stoichiometric reactions are only the basis to formulate the related equilibrium constants. GATES/GEB referred to modeling of redox titration curves in context with earlier approaches to this problem. The GATES/GEB is also presented in three other chapters issued in 2017 within InTech [68][69][70].
The dependency/independency criteria ascribed to 2•f(O)f(H) distinguishing between the relevant (non-redox and redox) systems are the properties of the equations obtained from the linear combination of the balances for H and O. Namely, the resulting equation is not independent of non-redox systems, since it is a linear combination of the remaining (charge and concentration) balances, whereas in the case of redox systems, this equation is linearly independent of those balances. This is a general property of nature, independent of the complexity of the system under consideration, which is the electrolytic system. GATES and GATES/GEB, in particular, are clear confirmation of the fact that the nature is mathematically designed and the true laws of nature are mathematical. In other words, the quantitative, mathematical method became the essence of science. To paraphrase a Chinese proverb, one can state that 'the lotus flower, lotus leaf and lotus seed come from the same root' [2]. Similarly, the three kinds of balances: GEB, charge and concentration balances come from the same family of fundamental laws of preservation. This compatibility is directly visible from the viewpoint of the approach II to GEB. The equivalent equations for GEB, based on a reliable law of the matter conservation, are equally robust as equations for charge and concentration balances. The complementarity of the GEB (approaches I and II) to other balances is regarded as the expression of harmony of nature and GATES/GEB as an example of excellent epistemological paradigm.
All earlier (dated from the 1960s) efforts made towards formulation of electrolytic redox systems were only clumsy attempts of resolution of the problem in question, as stated in review papers [2,[10][11][12][13][14]. These approaches were slavishly related to the stoichiometric reaction notations, involving only two pairs of indicated species participating in redox reaction; there were usually minor species of the system considered. The species different from those involved in the reaction notation were thus omitted in considerations. Moreover, the charge balance and concentration balances for accompanying substances were also omitted. Theoretical considerations were related to virtual cases, not to real, electrolytic redox systems.

Afterword: reductionism
The principles of science gaining are based on a conviction that complex phenomena occurred in nature, e.g. in electrolytic systems, that can be explained in terms of some general laws of the matter conservation; it is the basic assumption of reductionism [2]. These laws are expressed in terms of mathematical equations, valid for the systems of any degree of complexity. Reductionism is very similar to and has its roots in Occam's razor principle that gives precedence to simplicity, i.e. the explanation which requires the fewest assumptions. The power of reductionism lies in prediction and formulation; it is perceived as a good approximation of the macroscopic world. The knowledge thus obtained is verifiable and based on logical premises. This way the quantitative knowledge gained from the study of relatively simple systems can be synthesized in the knowledge obtainable from more complex systems. From this viewpoint, the knowledge obtained from physicochemical analysis involved, e.g. with determination of the stability constants of complex species formed in a particular system, can be perceived as a 'stone' used in construction of more complex systems. In this place, one can recall H. Poincaré who stated that 'Science is facts; just as houses are made of stones, so science is made of facts'. Any complex species must be equipped with its equilibrium constant value; a qualitative knowledge only (e.g. chemical formula) is insufficient in this respect. However, to construct the knowledge on more complex systems, these stones should be arranged according to a defined scheme (design), based on a set of compatible balances. Closely associated with reductionism is determinism-the philosophy that everything has a cause, and that a particular cause leads to a unique effect.
In any complex system, many particular reactions occur; the resultant reaction is the combination (superposition) of these elementary reactions which occur with different efficiencies that are known only after thorough physicochemical examination of the system in question. Similarly, the vibration in a polyatomic molecule is a superposition of normal vibrations. The physicochemical/thermodynamic knowledge on electrolytic systems is based on equilibrium constant values, referred to as the equilibrium system and all information about possible paths of particular reactions occurred in the system in question. Not all paths of chemical reactions are accessible, under defined conditions of analysis, involved with temperature and/or the presence of catalytic agents. This problem has been raised in Ref. [1], in context with GATES/GEB.
The approach II to GEB, preceded by the approach I to GEB, indicated new insight into redox systems and electrolytic systems in general. This way, the thermodynamic knowledge about redox systems was built in 1992 practically from scratch. The combination 2•f(O)f(H) of elemental balances for H and O (approach II to GEB) is the quintessence of the generalized electron balance (GEB) that is the link needed for mathematical/algebraic description of electrolytic redox systems of any degree of complexity within the generalized approach to electrolytic systems as GATES/GEB.
Within GATES, a resolution of electrolytic systems is realized with use of iterative computer programs. Formally, the manner of resolution of this task is even easier than the one based on the formulation of some functional dependencies that require some simplifications, as a rule. The simplifications are not necessary in iterative methods.
Summarizing, the generalized electron balance (GEB), perceived within GATES as GATES/ GEB, fulfils all the requirements imposed on reductionism. Its formulation is possible for any electrolytic redox systems-static and dynamic (titration), mono-and multiphase, equilibrium, metastable and non-equilibrium systems, of any degree of complexity, provided that all necessary physicochemical knowledge is attainable. Simply, it is the best possible thermodynamic approach to electrolytic redox systems.
GEB, within the context of GATES/GEB, confirms the validity of some statements expressed in the past: • A hidden connection is stronger than an obvious one (Heraclitus) • All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them (Galileo Galilei) • Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler (A. Einstein) • Minds are like parachutes: they function only when they are open (J. Dewar) • A good theory is the best practical tool (J.C. Maxwell) • Nothing is too wonderful to be true if it be consistent with the laws of nature (M. Faraday).
• A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents (…), but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it (M. Planck).
• Art of reasoning is nothing more than a well-ordered language • Telling the truth in a time of universal deceit is a revolutionary act (G. Orwell) • Man learns throughout his life, with the exception of school years • Do not believe in any messages just because they are in force for a long time, in many countries.