Question

A reducing agent is a substance which can:

• A. Accept protons
• B. Accept electrons
• C. Donate protons
• D. Donate electrons

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Donate electrons

The explanation for the correct option:

(D) Reducing agent: A reducing agent is a chemical substance that can easily donate electrons to other species.

• It is also known as a reductant.
• In the process of losing or donating electrons, the reducing agent itself gets oxidized.
• Example:$\underset{\left(\mathrm{Sodium}\right)}{\mathrm{Na}}\stackrel{\mathrm{Oxidation}}{\to }\underset{(\mathrm{Sodium}\mathrm{ion})}{{\mathrm{Na}}^{+}}+\underset{\left(\mathrm{Electron}\right)}{{\mathrm{e}}^{-}}$
• Here, Sodium $\left(\mathrm{Na}\right)$ =acts as a reducing agent as it has lost an electron to form a Sodium ion or cation.

The explanation for the incorrect options:

(A) Protons do not participate in the transfer for oxidation and reduction reactions. Electrons are involved in the process.

(B) Reducing agents donate electrons rather than accepting them.

(C) Electrons are involved in the redox process rather than protons.

Hence, option (D) is correct.