Before determining the strongest oxidizing agents, we will try to clarify the theoretical issues related to this topic.
Definition
In chemistry, an oxidizing agent means neutral atoms or charged particles that, in the process of chemical interaction, accept electrons from other particles.
Examples of oxidizers
In order to determine the strongest oxidizing agents, it should be noted that this indicator depends on the degree of oxidation. For example, in potassium permanganate, manganese has +7, that is, it is maximum.
This compound, better known as potassium permanganate, exhibits typical oxidizing properties. It is potassium permanganate that can be used in organic chemistry for conducting qualitative reactions on a multiple bond.
Determining the strongest oxidizing agents, let's focus on nitric acid. It is rightly called the queen of acids, because it is this compound, even in a diluted form, that can interact with metals located in the electrochemical series of metal voltages after hydrogen.
Considering the strongest oxidizing agents, one cannot leave withoutchromium compound attention. Chromium s alts are considered one of the brightest oxidizers and are used in qualitative analysis.
Oxidizer groups
Both neutral molecules and charged particles (ions) can be considered as oxidizers. If we analyze the atoms of chemical elements that exhibit similar properties, then it is necessary that they contain from four to seven electrons at the external energy level.
It is understood that it is p-elements that exhibit bright oxidizing characteristics, and these include typical non-metals.
The strongest oxidizing agent is fluorine, a member of the halogen subgroup.
Among the weak oxidizing agents, we can consider representatives of the fourth group of the periodic table. There is a regular decrease in oxidizing properties in the main subgroups with increasing atomic radius.
Given this pattern, it can be noted that lead exhibits minimal oxidizing properties.
The strongest non-metal oxidizing agent is fluorine, which is unable to donate electrons to other atoms.
Elements such as chromium, manganese, depending on the medium in which the chemical interaction takes place, can exhibit not only oxidizing, but also reducing properties.
They can change their oxidation state from a lower value to a higher one by donating electrons to other atoms (ions) for this.
Ions of all noble metals, even in the minimum oxidation state, exhibit bright oxidizing properties,actively entering into chemical interaction.
Speaking of strong oxidizing agents, it would be wrong to ignore molecular oxygen. It is this diatomic molecule that is considered one of the most accessible and common types of oxidizing agents, and therefore it is widely used in organic synthesis. For example, in the presence of an oxidizing agent in the form of molecular oxygen, ethanol can be converted into ethanal, which is necessary for the subsequent synthesis of acetic acid. Oxidation can even produce organic alcohol (methanol) from natural gas.
Conclusion
Oxidation-reduction processes are important not only for carrying out some transformations in a chemical laboratory, but also for the industrial production of various organic and inorganic products. That is why it is so important to choose the right oxidizing agents in order to increase the efficiency of the reaction and increase the yield of the interaction product.
