Question

Identify the reducing agent in the following reactions:

i. 4NH₃ + 5O₂ → 4NO + 6H₂O
ii. H₂O + F₂ → HF + HOF
iii. Fe₂O₃ + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO₂
iv. 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O

Answer 1

i. NH₃ gets oxidized to NO (Removal of hydrogen,addition of oxygen) O₂ gets reduced to H2O ( Addition of hydrogen). Thus, NH3 acts as reducing agent.
ii. F₂ gets reduced to HF (Addition of hydrogen)H₂O gets oxidized to HOF (Removal of hydrogen) Hence, H₂O acts as reducing agent.
iii. Fe₂O₃ gets reduced to Fe (Removal of oxygen) CO gets oxidized to CO₂ (Addition of oxygen) Hence, CO acts as reducing agent.
iv. H₂ gets oxidized to H₂O (Addition of oxygen) O₂ gets reduced to H₂O (Addition of hydrogen) Hence, H₂ acts as reducing agent.