oxidant
Definition
Noun: A chemical agent that causes oxidation by accepting electrons from another substance during a redox reaction. It is the substance that is reduced itself in the process.
Usage
An oxidant is a fundamental concept in chemistry. It is used to describe the specific substance in a reaction that facilitates oxidation by being reduced. It is often synonymous with "oxidizing agent."
Examples
- In the rusting of iron, atmospheric oxygen acts as the oxidant.
- Chlorine is a powerful oxidant used in water purification to kill bacteria.
- Hydrogen peroxide is a common oxidant found in many household disinfectants.
Advanced Usage
- In Combustion: In a fire, the oxidant (typically oxygen) combines with a fuel in an exothermic reaction.
- In Batteries: The cathode often contains the oxidant that accepts electrons from the anode during discharge.
- In Biological Systems: Certain reactive oxygen species can act as damaging oxidants in cells, a process linked to aging.
Variants and Related Words
- Oxidizer (noun): A completely synonymous term, very common in industrial and safety contexts (e.g., "Class 5 Oxidizers" in hazard classification).
- Oxidizing Agent (noun phrase): The full descriptive term for an oxidant.
- Oxidize (verb): The action performed by an oxidant (e.g., "The metal will oxidize in air.").
- Oxidation (noun): The process in which a substance loses electrons, facilitated by an oxidant.
Synonyms
- Oxidizer
- Oxidizing agent
- Electron acceptor (in the context of redox reactions)
Antonyms
- Reductant (noun): A substance that causes reduction by donating electrons; also called a reducing agent.
- Reducing agent
- Electron donor
Noun
-
a substance that oxidizes another substance
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