What does a reducing agent do?

A reducing agent is a substance that donates electrons to another substance during a chemical reaction, which facilitates the reduction of that substance. This process is fundamental in redox (reduction-oxidation) reactions, where oxidation involves the loss of electrons and reduction involves the gain of electrons.

When the reducing agent donates electrons, it itself undergoes oxidation, meaning its oxidation state increases. This is crucial because it directly contributes to the chemical change taking place, allowing the other species to be reduced. In this context, the role of the reducing agent is pivotal to the overall reaction mechanism, as it provides the necessary electrons needed for reduction to occur.

Understanding this concept is vital in various chemical processes, including those in organic chemistry, biochemistry, and industrial applications, where redox reactions play a central role in the transformation of substances.