Oxidizing AgentOxidizing agents, usually paired with reducing agents, are substances that gain electrons in an oxidation-reduction (redox) chemical reaction. In the reaction, the oxidizing agent is reduced, and the reducing agent is oxidized.
The most common example of this is the reaction of iron with oxygen to create iron oxide, or rust. There are many other redox reactions, however, such as any bleaching reactions (involving bleach, peroxides, or even exposure to sunlight and air, for instance).
In another definition of an oxidizing agent, it is anything that transfers oxygen atoms to a substrate. Oxidizing agents in this context are often called oxygenation reagents, or oxygen-atom transfer agents. Most of these are polyoxide molecules – molecules with multiple oxygen atoms.
Oxygenation is very common. Almost every metal will oxidize, as will most nonmetals. In the most violent oxygenation reactions, the addition of an oxidizing agent will start a fire or an explosion. The application of heat increases the speed of an oxidizing agent's action. In organic substances, enzymatic catalysts often increase the speed and thoroughness of oxidation.
Web Resources On Oxidizing Agent
Oxidizing Agents
Inorganic Oxidizing Agents
Book Resources On Oxidizing AgentOxidizing and Reducing Agents, Handbook of Reagents for Organic Synthesis by Burke & Danheiser (Editors)
Chemical and physical aspects of catalytic oxidation by J. Portefaix
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