Before determining the strongest oxidizing agents, we will try to find out theoretical questions concerning this topic.
Definition
In chemistry, an oxidizing agent is understood to mean neutral atoms or charged particles, which in the process of chemical interaction take electrons from other particles.
Examples of oxidizing agents
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 in manganese it is +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 high-quality reactions to a multiple bond.
Determining the strongest oxidizing agents, we dwell on nitric acid. It is rightly called the queen of acids, because it is this compound that even in diluted form is able to interact with metals located in the electrochemical series of metal stresses after hydrogen.
Considering the strongest oxidizing agents, chromium compounds cannot be ignored. Chromium salts are considered one of the brightest oxidizing agents, they are used in qualitative analysis.
Oxidizer groups
Neutral molecules and charged particles (ions) can be considered as oxidizing agents. If we analyze the atoms of chemical elements exhibiting similar properties, then it is necessary that at the external energy level they contain from four to seven electrons.
It is implied that it is the p-elements that exhibit bright oxidizing characteristics, and typical non-metals belong to them.
The strongest oxidizing agent is fluorine, a representative of the halogen subgroup.
Among the weak oxidizing agents, one can consider representatives of the fourth group of the periodic table. A regular decrease in the oxidizing properties in the main subgroups is observed with an increase in the radius of the atom.
Given this pattern, it can be noted that lead exhibits minimal oxidizing properties.
The strongest non-metal oxidizing agent is fluorine, which is not able to give electrons to other atoms.
Elements such as chromium and manganese, depending on the environment in which the chemical interaction proceeds, can exhibit not only oxidative, but also reducing properties.
They can change their oxidation state from a smaller value to a larger one, giving them electrons to other atoms (ions).
Ions of all noble metals, even to a minimum degree of oxidation, 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, 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 to ethanol, which is necessary for the subsequent synthesis of acetic acid. Using oxidation, even organic alcohol (methanol) can be obtained from natural gas.
Conclusion
Redox processes are important not only for carrying out any transformations in the chemical laboratory, but also for industrial production of various organic and inorganic products. That is why it is so important to choose the right oxidizing agents to increase the efficiency of the reaction and increase the yield of the reaction product.