Differences between oxidizing and reducing agent

March 24, 2018

S.N	Oxidizing agent	Reducing agent
1.	Almost all non-metals like O₂, F₂, and Cl₂are oxidizing agents.	All the metals like Na, K, Ca, Mg and some non-metals like C, H, P and S are reducing agents.
2.	All the oxides like SO₂, SO₃, CO₃, CaO, FeO, etc.	All the hydrides like NaH, H₂S, and polymeric hydrides like LiAlH₄, NaBH₄, etc.
3.	All –ic componds like Fe³⁺, Sn⁺⁺, Cu⁺⁺, etc.	All –ous compounds as Fe⁺⁺, Hg⁺⁺, etc.
4.	All oxyacids like H₂SO₄, HNO₃, HClO_4, etc.	All hydracids like HCl, HBr, etc.
5.	Compounds containing elements in highest oxidation state e.g. KMnO₄, HClO₄, CrO₃, FeCl₃, HgCl₂, etc.	Compounds containing elements in lower oxidation state e.g. FeCl₂, Cu₂O, FeSO₄, Hg₂Cl₂, Na₂S₂O₃, etc.
6.	Fluorine is the strongest oxidizing agent.	Lithium is strongest reducing agent in solution and cesium is the strongest reducing agent in dry state.
7.	If the elements get reduced, it is called oxidizing agent.	If the elements get oxidized, it is called reducing agent.
8.	It is also called electron acceptor.	It is also called electron donor.
9.	Oxidation number of this agent decreases.	Oxidation number of this agents increases.
10.	It is also called oxidant.	It is also called reductant.