WHAT ARE REDUCING AGENTS OXIDISING AGENTS - EASY ANALYSIS

 

 A reducing agent is a substance that reduces another substance by:

• giving hydrogen to the substance
• removing oxygen from the substance
• giving electrons to the substance

In the process of reducing another substance, the reducing agent itself becomes oxidised.

Common Reducing Agents are:

• Potassium iodide, KI (colourless solution)
• Reactive metals such as Mg, Zn, Al
  
• Hydrogen gas, H₂
• Carbon, C
• Carbon monoxide, CO
• Hydrogen sulfide, H₂S
• Sulfur dioxide, SO₂

Test for Oxidising Agent: Use of a Reducing Agent e.g. aqueous potassium iodide, KI(aq)  Observation: Colourless solution turns brown.

Chemistry behind it: 2I^–(aq) => I₂(aq) + 2e^–

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An oxidising agent is a substance that oxidises another substance by

• giving oxygen to the substance
• removing hydrogen from the substance
• receiving electrons to the substance

In the process of oxidising another substance, the oxidising agent itself becomes reduced

Common Oxidising Agents are:

• Acidified potassium manganate (VII), KMnO₄ (purple solution)
• Acidified potassium dichromate (VI), K₂Cr₂O₇ (orange solution)
• Halogens e.g. Cl₂, Br₂
• Concentrated Sulfuric acid, H₂SO₄
• Nitric acid, HNO₃
• Oxygen, O₂

Test for Reducing Agent: Use of an Oxidising Agent e.g. acidified potassium manganate (VII). Observation: Purple solution decolourises.

Chemistry behind it: MnO₄^–(aq) + 8H⁺(aq) + 5e^– => Mn²⁺(aq) + 4H₂O(l)

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