strongest reductin/oxidizing agent

[dental13]

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This question is from #152 of gchem section of destroyer 2011.
It states that Li(s) is the strongest reducing agent, while F2is the strongest oxidizing agent. I know reducing agents reduces others while oxidizing themselves and oxidizing agents oxidize others while reducing themselves. But I don't get how Li and F2 can be strongest reducing agent and strongest oxidizing agent...🙁

 

[Teeth12345]

This question is from #152 of gchem section of destroyer 2011.
It states that Li(s) is the strongest reducing agent, while F2is the strongest oxidizing agent. I know reducing agents reduces others while oxidizing themselves and oxidizing agents oxidize others while reducing themselves. But I don't get how Li and F2 can be strongest reducing agent and strongest oxidizing agent...🙁

Li is in Group 1 and forms a cation more easily than an anion. It is only one electron away from being in a noble gas configuration. Therefore, it is more likely to lose an electron (oxidation). If it's more easily oxidized, it's a better reducing agent.

F is a halogen and also one electron away from having a noble gas configuration. Only difference is F would rather gain an electron to become an anion. It is much easier to just add one electron to F than it is to take away 7. Therefore, it's more easily reduced and thus a better oxidizing agent.

Hope this clarifies it for you 🙂

 

[dental13]

Li is in Group 1 and forms a cation more easily than an anion. It is only one electron away from being in a noble gas configuration. Therefore, it is more likely to lose an electron (oxidation). If it's more easily oxidized, it's a better reducing agent.

F is a halogen and also one electron away from having a noble gas configuration. Only difference is F would rather gain an electron to become an anion. It is much easier to just add one electron to F than it is to take away 7. Therefore, it's more easily reduced and thus a better oxidizing agent.

Hope this clarifies it for you 🙂

Got it, thanks Teeth12345, I just remembered Chad explaining this while reading your response. Destroyer is making me think and think again to point where I get lost