Problem: Treatment of gold metal with BrF3 and KF produces Br2 and KAuF4, a salt of gold.Identify the oxidizing agent in this reaction.
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FREE Expert Solution
We’re being asked to identify the oxidizing agent in the given reaction:
Au + BrF3 + KF → Br2 + KAuF4
To do so, we need to identify the change in oxidation state for each element in the reaction.
Recall the mnemonic for redox reactions:
Loss Electrons → Oxidation → Reducing Agent
Gain Electrons → Reduction → Oxidizing Agent
This means the element that gains electrons/reduced is the oxidizing agent.
Problem Details
Treatment of gold metal with BrF3 and KF produces Br2 and KAuF4, a salt of gold.
Identify the oxidizing agent in this reaction.