Name the reducing agent in the following reaction:
In the redox reaction, the element or the molecule that loses electrons and gets oxidized is called a reducing agent. On the other hand, the molecule that gains electrons and gets reduced is called an oxidizing agent.
The given equation is:
In the given reaction, Aluminum (Al) gets oxidized by displacing Manganese (Mn) from Manganese dioxide and Aluminium loses 3 electrons. The oxidation number of Al changes from 0 to +3.
Therefore, Aluminium (Al) is a reducing agent.