Reducing Agent
A species that donates electrons to another substance and is itself oxidised in the process.
Unit
V
In depth
Strong reducing agents have very negative standard reduction potentials and are typically reactive metals or species with an element in a low oxidation state. Their power is exploited in metal extraction, in organic synthesis and in the anode of every battery.
Examples in the real world
Lithium, sodium, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and lithium aluminium hydride in organic chemistry.