Question

Which is a stronger reducing agent Cr²⁺ or Fe²⁺ and why?

Answer 1

There are two reasons for Cr2+ to be more reducing than Fe2+ :

1)The values of reduction potentials of Cr2+ and Fe2+ are -.91 and -.44 volts respectively. As we know that the more the reduction potential greater the reducing power of the electrode.

2)The highest oxidation state of Cr is 6+. And so the Cr2+ ion can easily loose 2 more electrons whereas Fe needs to loose only one electron to achieve its highest oxidation state of +3.

Thus Cr2+ is more reducing than Fe2+.