Question

Which of the following is TRUE?

• A. If an element is in its highest possible oxidation state in a compound, the compound can function as an oxidizing agent.
• B. If an element is in its intermediate oxidization state in a compound, the compound can function both as an oxidizing agent as well as reducing agent
• C. If an electronegative element is in its lowest possible oxidation state in a compound or in free State, it can function as a powerful reducing agent.
• D. None of these

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C)

The correct options are
A If an element is in its highest possible oxidation state in a compound, the compound can function as an oxidizing agent.
B If an element is in its intermediate oxidization state in a compound, the compound can function both as an oxidizing agent as well as reducing agent
C If an electronegative element is in its lowest possible oxidation state in a compound or in free State, it can function as a powerful reducing agent.

Tips for the identification of oxidizing and reducing agents
(i) If an element is in its highest possible oxidation state in a compound, the compound can function as an oxidizing agent, e.g. $KMn{O}_4,K_{2}C{r}_2{O}_7,HN{O}_3,H_{2}S{O}_4,HCl{O}_4$ etc.
(ii) If an element is in its lowest possible oxidation state in a compound, the compound can function only as a reducing agent, e.g. $H_{2}S,H_2{C}_2{O}_4,FeS{O}_4,N{a}_2{S}_2{O}_3,SnC{l}_2$ etc.
(iii) If an element is in its intermediate oxidation state in a compound, the compound, the compound can function both as an oxidizing agent as well as reducing agent, e.g. $H_2{O}_2,H_{2}S{O}_3,HN{O}_2,S{O}_2$ etc.
(iv) If a highly electronegative element is in its highest oxidation state in a compound, that compound can function as a powerful oxidizing agent, e.g. $KCl{O}_4,KCl{O}_3,KBr{O}_3,KI{O}_3$ etc.
(v) If an electronegative element is in its lowest possible oxidation state in a compound or in free state, it can function as a powerful reducing agent, e.g. $I^{-},B{r}^{-},N^{3-}$ etc.