Oxidizing agents nonmetals

The interhalogens have properties intermediate between those of the constituent halogens. Nonmetals form covalent halides metals tend to form ionic halides. The oxoacids of chlorine are all oxidizing agents both acidity and oxidizing strength of oxoacids increase as the oxidation number of the halogen increases. 

Fluorine is the most electronegative element in the Periodic Table. It also is the most reactive nonmetal, and the most powerful oxidizing agent ... 

We ll see in later chapters that redox reactions are common for almost every element in the periodic table except for the noble gas elements of group 8A. In general, metals act as reducing agents, and reactive nonmetals such as O2 and the halogens act as oxidizing agents. 

Generally, a nonmetal is the oxidizing agent, although the reducing agent may be either a metal or a nonmetal. Many elements can exist in more than one positive oxidation state, and this leads to the possibility of multiple products even for reactions of the same two elements. For example, CO2 and CO can result for the combustion of carbon ... 

This is an oxidation-reduction reaction in which chlorine oxidizes sodium to form Na+ and Cl- ions. In the reactions between metals and nonmetals it is typical for the nonmetal to behave as the oxidizing agent and the metal to behave as the reducing agent, as shown by the following reactions ... 

It is not difficult identifying the reducing agent and the oxidizing agent in reactions involving atoms of elements and monatomic ions of metals and nonmetals. 

Metal and nonmetal form an ionic compound. A metal, such as aluminum, reacts with a nonmetal, such as oxygen. The change in O.N. s shows that the metal is oxidized, so it is the reducing agent the nonmetal is reduced, so it is the oxidizing agent. 

For each of the following oxidation-reduction reactions of metals and nonmetals, identify the oxidizing agent and reducing agent. 

Uons behave much like other mineral acids. Concentrated nitric acid Is a strong oxidizing agent. Most metals dissolve to form nitrates but with the evolution of nitrogen oxides. Concentrated nitric acid also reacts with several nonmetals to j ve the oxo acid or oxide. Nitric acid Is generally stored in dark brown bottles because of the photolytic decomposi-tton to dinltrogen tetroxlde. See also nitration. 

Precaution Violent or explosive reaction with chlorinated rubber (> 200 C), fluoroelastomers ( 200 C) incompat. with Cl, metals, nonmetals reacts violently with hydrogen peroxide, strong oxidizing agents... 

Oxygen is the most abundant element in Earth s crust. It forms compounds with most other elements as oxides, peroxides, and superoxides. Its allotropic form, ozone, is a strong oxidizing agent. Sulfur, the second member of Group 6A, also forms many compounds with metals and nonmetals. Sulfuric acid is the most important industrial chemical in the world. (21.5)... 

Reduction Chemically this is the reverse of oxidation (q.v.). The incorporation of electrons into a nonmetal oxidizing agent when a metal is oxidized. When oxygen (OJ oxidizes iron (Fe) to Fe it receives the electrons that the iron gives up and is itself reduced ... 

Nitric acid is a strong oxidizing agent. Most metals are converted to their nitrates with the evolution of oxides of nitrogen (the composition of the mixture of the oxides depends on the temperature and on the concentration of the nitric acid used). Some nonmetals (e.g. sulfur and phosphorus) react to produce oxyacids. 

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