Question

For the following reaction, identify the element that was oxidized, the element that was reduced, and the reducing agent. Give an explanation for each answer. . . SnCl2 + PbCl4 SnCl4 + PbCl2

Answer 1

The element oxidized is the element in which the charge becomes more positive after the reaction, hence the reducing agent. The element that is reduced is the element or compound in which the charge becomes more negative after the reaction. Sn becomes +4 from +2. Hence Sn is the reduced element while Pb becomes +2 from +4 hence Pb is the element oxidized and PbCl4 is the reducing agent.