Identify the substance oxidized reduced, oxidizing agent and a reducing agent for each of the following reactions:

HCHO (l) + 2 Cu2+ (aq) + 5 OH– (aq) → Cu2O(s) + HCOO–(aq) + 3H2O(l)

Oxidised substance:- HCHO


Reduced Substance:- Cu2 +


Reducing agent:- HCHO


Oxidising agent:- Cu2+


Explanation:- Oxidising agent is a reagent which can increase the O.N. of an element in a given substance.


Cu+ 2 helps HCHO to increase its oxidation state.


The reduced substance is a reagent whose oxidation state has been decreased.


Here, in this case, Cu+2 has + 2 oxidation state and the O.N. is reduced to + 1 as Cu+1 in the product side is present in + 1 O.N.


The oxidised substance is a reagent whose oxidation state has been decreased.


Carbon in HCHO is present in zero oxidation state which is increased to + 2 in HCOO-.


Reducing Agent is a reagent which lowers the oxidation number of an element in a given substance.


HCHO helps Cu+2 to decrease its oxidation state.


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