Are acids oxidising agents or reducing agents?

But , some oxyacids like sulphurous acid (H2SO3) and hypophosphorus acid (H3PO2) are fairly strong reducing agents. In these acids, the oxidation numbers of the central nonmetals, sulphur and phosphorus, are +4 and +1 respectively. read more

Nitric acid is a powerful oxidising agent both in its dilute and concentrated versions, but dilute sulphuric acid is mostly non-oxidising. Nitrous acid (HNO2) can act both as an oxidising agent and as a reducing agent, depending on the nature of the substance it encounters. read more

Oxidizing and Reducing Agents. An oxidizing agent, or oxidant, gains electrons and is reduced in a chemical reaction. Also known as the electron acceptor, the oxidizing agent is normally in one of its higher possible oxidation states because it will gain electrons and be reduced. read more

The Relative Strengths of Oxidizing and Reducing Agents Common Oxidizing Agents and Reducing Agents In looking at oxidation-reduction reactions, we can focus on the role played by a particular reactant in a chemical reaction. read more