Q. Which of the following acts as an oxidising as well as reducing agent?
A) ${Na}_{2}O$
B) ${Na}_{2}O_{2}$
C) ${NaNO}_{3}$
D) ${NaNO}_{2}$
Explanation
(d)
${NaNO}_{2}$ (Sodium nitrite) acts both as oxidising as well as reducing agent because in it N-atom is in +3 oxidation state (intermediate oxidation state).
Oxidising property
$2{NaNO}_{2} + 2KI + 2H_{2}{SO}_{4} \longrightarrow {Na}_{2}{SO}_{4} + K_{2}{SO}_{4} + 2NO + 2H_{2}O + I_{2}$
Reducing property
$H_{2}O_{2} + {NaNO}_{2} \longrightarrow {NaNO}_{3} + H_{2}O\$
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.