Editing Oxidizing agent (section)

{{short description|Chemical compound used to oxidize another substance in a chemical reaction}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2020}}
[[File:GHS-pictogram-rondflam.svg|thumb|125px|The [[Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals|international]] [[GHS hazard pictograms|pictogram]] for oxidizing chemicals.]]
[[Image:DOT hazmat class 5.1.svg|thumb|125px|[[Dangerous goods]] label for oxidizing agents]]

An '''oxidizing agent''' (also known as an '''oxidant''', '''oxidizer''', '''electron recipient''', or '''electron acceptor''') is a substance in a [[redox]] chemical reaction that gains or "[[Electron acceptor|accepts]]"/"receives" an [[electron]] from a {{em|[[reducing agent]]}} (called the {{em|reductant}}, {{em|reducer}}, or ''electron donor''). In other words, an oxidizer is any substance that [[oxidize]]s another substance. The [[oxidation state]], which describes the degree of loss of [[electrons]], of the oxidizer decreases while that of the reductant increases; this is expressed by saying that oxidizers "undergo reduction" and "are reduced" while reducers "undergo oxidation" and "are oxidized".
Common oxidizing agents are [[oxygen]], [[hydrogen peroxide]], and the [[halogen]]s.

In one sense, an oxidizing agent is a chemical species that undergoes a [[chemical reaction]] in which it gains one or more electrons. In that sense, it is one component in an [[Redox|oxidation–reduction]] (redox) reaction. In the second sense, an oxidizing agent is a chemical species that transfers electronegative atoms, usually oxygen, to a substrate. [[Combustion]], many explosives, and [[organic redox reaction]]s involve atom-transfer reactions.