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Lonnie Dinsmore

Is francium a reducing agent or oxidizing agent?

Badi DukviL  Follow

Thanks for the A2A.

It is neither.

This is the dictionary definition of an agent that is relevant to chemistry:

agent

/ˈeɪdʒ(ə)nt/

noun: agent; plural noun: agents

A substance that brings about a chemical or physical effect or causes a chemical reaction.

"there is an urgent need for new antimicrobial agents to combat infections"

In order to be classed as an agent you have to be able to bring about the relevant change.

As it stands we have synthesised and observed just a handful of francium atoms. The nuclei decay (for all intents and purposes) immediately.

Since we have never synthesised francium in a situation where it can reduce something it cannot be classed as a reducing agent.

The same principle applies to its ‘state of matter'. It is not one of three liquid elements like some answers say.

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Austin Mccormack  Follow

Francium is an alkali metal and readily gives up an electron. Therefore it could be considered a reducing agent.

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