Question

Identify the reducing agent in the following reaction.
$2H_{2}O+3F_2\to 4HF+O_2$
Water $\left(H_{2}O\right)$ as $F_2$ is getting reduced to $HF$.

• A. $F_2$
• B. $H_{2}O$
• C. $HF$
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is B $H_{2}O$

$2H_{2}O+3F_2\to 4HF+O_2$
Reducing agents are those which reduce others (by the addition of hydrogen or removal of oxygen) and themselves get oxidised (by the addition of oxygen or removal of hydrogen).
In above reaction, water ($H_{2}O$) is the reducing agent which reduces fluorine ($F_2$) to form hydrogen fluoride ($HF$) and oxygen ($O_2$).