Talk:Reducing agent
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this section seems to contradict itself. hydrogen acts as an oxidizing agent with Li, a metal. but maybe the meaning is more complex than i can see?
Also, some elements and compounds can be both reducing or oxidizing agents. Hydrogen gas is a reducing agent when it reacts with non-metals and an oxidizing agent when it reacts with metals.
2Li(s) + H2(g) -->2LiH(s) acts as a reducing agent
H2(g) + F2(g) --> 2HF(g) acts as an oxidizing agent
i hope a chemist will check it or add an explanation.
142.104.250.115 22:06, 25 April 2006 (UTC)substatique
No, this section does not contradict itself. In the lithium equation, diatomic hydrogen goes from a 0 oxidation state on the left side of the arrow and on the right side hydrogen's oxidation number is -1. This indicates that hydrogen gained one electron and thusly hydrogen acts as the oxidizing reagent, because it is reduced (gained electrons) and causes Lithium to lose electrons. --Morgan 05:09, 7 June 2006 (UTC)
Conversly in the fluorine equation, diatomic hydrogen donates 2 electrons to fluorine, which makes hydrogen a reducing agent because it causes fluorine to be reduced.--Morgan 06:00, 7 June 2006 (UTC)
