Chemical oxidizing agents are chemical materials that works as the oxidizing substance of a chemical reaction. This phenomenon occurs because there is a shift or transfer of an electron or the loss of electrons from another substrate.
For detailed explanation, observe an example in the reaction below.
MnO2 + H2SO4 + NaI → MnSO4 + Na2SO4 + H2O + I2
+4 -2 +1 +6-2 +1-1 +2 +6 -2 +1 +6 -2 +1 -2 0
Reduction: MnO2 MnSO4 (MnO2 as the oxidizing agent)
Oxidation: NaI I2 (NaI as the reducing agent)
Chemical oxidizing agent has a lot of examples although it is not available freely in the nature. It is often found in a salt form. So, if we want to get this material in its purest form, we have to go through several processes starting from electrolysis process or by oxidizing halide compound (X–).
Example of Chemical Oxidizing Agent
Here’s the chemical properties of oxidizing agents and the examples:
- Fluorine
Fluorine is a VIIA group element which is often called as halogens. The halogens consist of Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, Iodine, and Astatine. One characteristic of halogens is that its oxidizing quality is weaker from top to bottom. But, astatine is not considered as an oxidizing agent because it is a radioactive.
Because of its halogens trait, fluorine is an element with the strongest oxidizing quality among other halogens. In the process of making a fluorine, it can’t be acquired by just oxidizing its halide compound. However, it can be acquired through an electrolysis process which will be shown below. Electrolysis is done in a place where it’s made of steel, where the steel serves as the cathode and carbons as the anode (graphite).
Reaction:
KHF2 → K+ + HF2- (The electrolysis of Hydrogen fluoride KHF2 salt)
HF2- → H+ + 2F (KHF2 dissolved in liquid HF)
Cathode: 2H+ + 2e → H2
Anode: 2F– → F2 + 2e
Also read: Common Chemical Oxidizing Agents
- Chlorine
Chlorine is also considered as halogens. It is green colored and can’t be found freely in the nature however it can be found in a compound like NaCl (strong electrolyte) or in the form of minerals like sylvite and carnallite. Chlorine is an element that has a form of a yellowish green gas that has a strong scent and it is poisonous if there’s a direct contact to our body. Chlorine also has a 3 times heavier mass than air. Also read: Sodium Chloride Uses
- Bromine
Bromine is another kind of halogens that has dark red color and it is corrosive in a solution form. Bromine has a higher level of viscosity than water and it is used to purify water as well used for medical purposes. Also read: Safe Chemicals for Swimming Pools
- Iodine
Iodine is a non-metal element that can be found abundant in the air, earth, and water, especially sea water. Iodine has an important role in the metabolism system, one of it is thyroid gland. Thyroid gland can easily swell when our body lacks iodine. But, if there is too much dosage of iodine in our body, we can also have an overdose. The symptoms vary from stomach ache to hard in breathing.
Effects of Chemical Oxidizing Agent
Chemical properties of oxidizing agents consists from the halogens and other groups and has various effect whether it is good or bad effects. Those effects will be explained one by one based on its element.
- Fluorine
- Effect to the environment
Fluorine has a good effect to the fertility of a soul if it is used in the right dosage. If there’s a lot of fluorine concentration, it can reduce the number of harvests. But if it is used too less, the plant will lack nutrients and hold up the growth of the plant. Also read: Aluminium Fluoride Uses
- Effect to the health
Fluorine is a main ingredient of most toothpaste product and sure we used it everyday to brush our teeth from food scraps that stuck in our teeth. So, it can be said that fluorine is a good healthy product. But, don’t be misinterpreted. Usage of fluorine in large amount can be dangerous for our health. The overdose of fluorine can cause fluorosis. Fluorosis is a kind of teeth damage which is caused by the overdose of fluorine (above 1000 ppm).
- Chlorine
- Effect to the environment
Chlorine takes an important role in the environment. Because of chlorine, natrium (Na) can be dissolved in sea water. The nearer a land to a sea, the higher the level of chloride is and vice versa. The right amount of chlorine in a plant can make the plant fertile. The right amount of chlorine in a soil is 10ppm because chlorine is the main micronutrient of chlorophyll plant.
- Effect to the health
Chlorine is a gas-formed element, so it is easy for chlorine to get inhaled. The hazard of chlorine depends on how long does a person inhaled chlorine.
- Bromine
- Effect to the environment
Bromine is used widely as insecticide. Insecticide pretty much helps farmer to avoid plant from harmful insects. But, insecticide also has its downside if used in a large amount because insecticide can pollute the soil making it not fertile anymore, pollute the riverside making the river organisms poisoned.
- Effect to the health
Bromine is an insecticide. Of course, bromine can be considered dangerous because it could kill insects. Bromine even lethal enough to kill mammals as large as human. Bromine enters human body through several ways. Through inhalation if the bromine is in gas form or through the skin contact if the bromine is in liquid form. Bromine is corrosive if it touches the skin, therefore it is very dangerous.
- Iodine
- Effect to the environment
Iodine can be found widely in the air through evaporation process of sea water which later will go down as rain and absorbed in the soil. Iodine is also radioactive if reacted to uranium and plutonium. Also read: Radioactive Substance Uses
- Effect to the health
As we already know, iodine is the main material inside hormone produced from the thyroid gland. Thyroid gland is one of the most important hormone that is needed by the human body because it plays the important role at adjusting the human metabolism.
Thereby the explanation of oxidizing agent. Hopefully it is useful.