CAIE IGCSE Chemistry Reducing Agent Definition

Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 syllabus for exams in 2026, 2027 and 20282026–2028

Practise defining a reducing agent as an electron donor that reduces another species and is itself oxidised, then identifying it in a reaction.

How this is tested

define a reducing agent as reducing another substance while being oxidised itself
identify the reducing agent as the species that donates electrons or loses oxygen

[Maximum number: 1]

Ethanol is manufactured by two methods:
method 1 fermentation of aqueous glucose
method 2 catalytic addition of steam to an alkene.

Ethanol can be converted to ethanoic acid by reacting it with an acidified oxidising agent.

State, in terms of redox, what type of reagent ethanol is in this reaction.