reducing agent
nounUK /rɪˈdjuːsɪŋ ˈeɪdʒənt/
US /rɪˈduːsɪŋ ˈeɪdʒənt/
A reducing agent is a substance that gives electrons to another substance in a chemical reaction.
In the reaction, the reducing agent lost electrons while the other substance gained them.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A chemical used in industry to remove oxygen from a compound.
The factory used a reducing agent to extract the metal from its oxide ore.
3. A substance that helps break down or simplify another material.
In the lab, the reducing agent converted the complex molecule into a simpler one.
4. A reactant that causes another substance to gain electrons.
Hydrogen gas acted as the reducing agent, donating electrons to the metal ions.