Final answer:
To accomplish a specific transformation in a chemical reaction, different reagents are used. These reagents can be classified into four categories: oxidizing agents, reducing agents, catalysts, and solvents.
Step-by-step explanation:
To accomplish a specific transformation in a chemical reaction, different reagents are used. The reagents can be classified into four categories:
- A. Oxidizing agents: These are substances that accept electrons from other compounds and cause oxidation. Examples include potassium permanganate (KMnO4) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
- B. Reducing agents: These are substances that donate electrons to other compounds and cause reduction. Examples include sodium borohydride (NaBH4) and lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4).
- C. Catalysts: Catalysts are substances that speed up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process. They do not participate in the actual reaction and remain unchanged at the end. Examples include enzymes and transition metals like platinum (Pt) and nickel (Ni).
- D. Solvents: Solvents are substances in which other reagents are dissolved or mixed. They provide a medium for the reaction to occur. Examples include water (H2O) and organic solvents like ethanol (C2H5OH) and acetone (CH3COCH3).