Question

Which of the following acts as both reducing and oxidising agents?

• A. ${\text{H}}_2\text{S}{\text{O}}_4$
• B. $\text{H}\text{N}{\text{O}}_3$
• C. ${\text{H}}_2{\text{O}}_2$
• D. $\text{K}\text{M}\text{n}{\text{O}}_4$

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

In $(\text{a}),$ $(\text{b})$ and $\left(\text{d}\right);$ Sulphur, nitrogen and Mn are in their maximum oxidation state, so they can only be reduced and thus can act only as oxidising agent.

$(\text{c})$ only ${\text{H}}_2{\text{O}}_2$ will act as both.

(i) In case of oxidising agent

${\text{H}}_2{\text{O}}_2$ itself get reduced:

e.g.,

(ii) In case of reducing agent ${\text{H}}_2{\text{O}}_2$ itself get oxidise