- #1
merovingian12
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Homework Statement
Which substance can act only as a reducing agent?
I2
BrCl
NaBr
HIO4
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
If a substance oxidizes something, the substance itself becomes reduced (gains electrons.) Halogens have high electron affinities and accept electrons readily, so I eliminated iodine and the bromine-chlorene compound immediately.
The acid can oxidize metals (the metal would undergo a single replacement reaction with the hydrogen ion, producing hydrogen gas,) so I eliminated that one as well.
This leaves sodium bromide, which is the correct answer. However, wouldn't a metal more active than sodium, e.g. potassium, be oxidized by the acid? As far as I can tell, all four substances can act as oxidizing agents...