Photo AI
Which of the following is most likely to act as a reducing agent? A - Scottish Highers Chemistry - Question 3 - 2017
Question 3
Which of the following is most likely to act as a reducing agent? A. CO B. MnO₄⁻ C. H₂O₂ D. Cr₂O₇²⁻
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Which of the following is most likely to act as a reducing agent? A - Scottish Highers Chemistry - Question 3 - 2017
Step 1
Identify the reducing agent
Answer
A reducing agent is a substance that can donate electrons to another substance and is thereby oxidized itself. To determine which of the given options is most likely to act as a reducing agent, we must analyze their oxidation states and overall behavior in chemical reactions.
Step 2
Evaluate each option
Answer
-
CO (Carbon Monoxide): CO is known to act as a reducing agent because it can donate electrons and convert into CO₂ by oxidizing.
-
MnO₄⁻ (Permanganate Ion): This ion is typically an oxidizing agent, as it can accept electrons and reduce to Mn²⁺ in acidic conditions.
-
H₂O₂ (Hydrogen Peroxide): Although it can act as both an oxidizing and reducing agent under different conditions, it primarily acts as an oxidizer in many reactions.
-
Cr₂O₇²⁻ (Dichromate Ion): This species is also primarily an oxidizing agent, notably acting to oxidize substances such as alcohols.
Step 3