Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry
Oxidizing agent (oxidant):
In a
redox reaction
, the
reactant
causing the
oxidation
, and is itself
reduced
.
In the
combustion
of
methane
molecular
oxygen is the
oxidizing
agent and
methane
is the
reducing agent
.
In the
free radical
halogenation
of
methane
molecular
bromine is the
oxidizing
agent and
methane
is the
reducing agent
.
In the rusting of iron,
molecular
oxygen is the
oxidizing
agent and iron is the
reducing agent
.
In the reaction of
sodium borohydride
with
acetone
,
sodium borohydride
(or
hydride ion
) is the
reducing agent
and
acetone
is the
oxidizing
agent.
In the
catalytic hydrogenation
of
propene
,
molecular
hydrogen is the
reducing agent
and
propene
is the
oxidizing
agent.
Related terms:
O
xidation reaction
,
reduction
,
reduction reaction
,
oxidation state
,
oxidation number
,
redox reaction
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