Question

which of the following is the strongest reducing agent
a)GaCl b)InCl c)BCl3 d)TlCl​

Answer 1

option b is correct answer

Answer 2

The strongest reducing agent is a) GaCl.

• GaCl is the strongest reducing agent because in GaCl, Gallium is in a +1 oxidation state but the stable oxidation state of gallium is +3. so gallium undergoes a loss of two electrons to form Ga3+ ion.
• Loss of electrons in an element or ion means that it undergoes oxidation and reducing agent are those which can reduce others and oxidise themselves.
• So, GaCl is the strongest reducing agent.
• In all, TlCl and InCl are in a +1 oxidation state and it is stable in this oxidation state due to the inert pair effect.
• In BCl3 it is in a +3 oxidation state and is stable and is maximum oxidation state so it is a poor reducing agent.