Chapter 17, Problem 106QAP

In biological systems, acetate ion is converted to ethyl alcohol in a two-step process:
${\text{CH}}_3{\text{COO}}^{-}\left(aq\right)+3{\text{H}}^{+}\left(aq\right)+2e^{-}\to {\text{CH}}_3\text{CHO}\left(aq\right)+{\text{H}}_2\text{O}E°\text{'}=-0.581\text{V}$
${\text{CH}}_3\text{CHO}\left(aq\right)+2{\text{H}}^{+}\left(aq\right)+2e^{-}\to {\text{C}}_2{\text{H}}_5\text{OH}\left(aq\right)E°\text{'}=-0.197\text{V}$
(E°' is the standard reduction voltage at 25°C and pH of 7.00.)
(a) Calculate ΔG°' for each step and for the overall conversion.
(b) Calculate E°' for the overall conversion.