Question

What is relation between of2 and o2f2

Answer 1

Explanation:

My teacher said that OF2 is the third most powerful oxidising agent after F2 and atomic O, but I think O2F2 should be even more oxidising, since it less stable than OF2. I just read on quora that O2F2 is so unstable that it readily oxidises anything that comes in contact even when it is frozen. Also, in case of hydrides of p-block we say that reducing power increases down the group as the tendency to donate H increases due to decreasing thermal stability, so on similar lines, I think O2F2 should be a more powerful oxidant.

Or is it because in OF2, the oxidation state of O atom is +2 (compared to +1 in O2F2), which it wants to get rid of and thus gets reduced, oxidising the other species readily