Oxidizing and Reducing Agent

Topic Content:

Oxidizing Agent:

Oxidizing agents are substances that; 

1. supply oxygen,
2. remove hydrogen,
3. accept electrons,
4. are reduced in a chemical reaction.

Examples of oxidizing agents include electronegative elements like sulphur, oxygen, fluorine, chlorine, etc., concentrated tetraoxosulphate(VI) acid, potassium tetraoxomangnate (VII), potassium heptaoxodichromate(VI) etc.

Reducing Agent:

Reducing agents are substances that;

1. supply hydrogen,
2. remove oxygen,
3. lose electrons,
4. are oxidized in a chemical reaction.

Examples of reducing agents include Hydrogen, Carbon(IV) oxide, active metals generally, Sulphur(IV)oxide, Ammonium hydrosulphide, Potassium Iodide, etc.

Disproportionation Reaction:

A disproportionation reaction is a reaction in which a reactant acts as an oxidizing and a reducing agent.

e.g.

The oxidation number of the chlorine atom decreased from +5 in KClO₃ to -1 in KCl i.e. KClO₃ has been reduced, hence it is an oxidation agent (O.A)

The oxidation number of the