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Topic: Best Reducing Agent Question  (Read 2740 times)

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Offline alanjz

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Best Reducing Agent Question
« on: April 06, 2013, 10:22:11 PM »
Which oxide is the best reducing agent?
(A) CO2
(B) NO2
(C) SiO2
(D) SO2

Why is the answer D? I assume they're all oxidized to XO4 but I don't understand why S, the most electronegative out of the four, makes SO2 the best reducing agent.

Offline Needaask

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Re: Best Reducing Agent Question
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2013, 03:33:47 AM »
Are you asking that since S is so electronegative (compared to the other atoms) it should have more trouble giving up electrons than the rest right?

Offline Borek

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Re: Best Reducing Agent Question
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2013, 04:10:46 AM »
I assume they're all oxidized to XO4

None of them is oxidized to SO4. And electronegativity has nothing to do with this question - it is more about possible oxidation states.
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Offline Needaask

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Re: Best Reducing Agent Question
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2013, 04:14:28 AM »
I assume they're all oxidized to XO4

None of them is oxidized to SO4. And electronegativity has nothing to do with this question - it is more about possible oxidation states.

Oh because sulfur can have an expanded octet? But why wouldn't electronegativity play a role here?

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