Reducing agent (reductant)

Definition

A reducing agent (reductant) is a substance that donates electrons to another substance in a chemical reaction, thereby reducing the oxidation state of the latter. It itself gets oxidized in the process.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Reducing agents are usually found on the left side of a redox equation.
2. The strength of a reducing agent is determined by its ability to lose electrons easily.
3. Common examples include hydrogen gas ($H_2$), carbon monoxide (CO), and metals like sodium (Na).
4. In a redox reaction, the reducing agent undergoes oxidation while the other reactant undergoes reduction.
5. The reducing agent is essential for many industrial processes, including metal extraction and organic synthesis.

Review Questions

Related terms

Oxidizing Agent:

A substance that accepts electrons from another substance, causing it to be oxidized while it itself gets reduced.

Oxidation State:

The hypothetical charge an atom would have if all bonds to atoms of different elements were completely ionic.

Redox Reaction:

A type of chemical reaction involving both reduction and oxidation processes where electron transfer occurs between two substances.