Hi guys, in a reaction, when a species in a compound (e.g. compound Y) reduces another species, e.g. in compound X, is Y the reducing agent or is the species in compound Y a reducing agent.
I.e. 2HOBr + 2H+ + 2I- -------> Br2 + I2 + 2H2O so using this equation, the bromine in HOBr is in the +1 oxidation state, so it oxides the iodine (and becomes reduced itself), i.e. it is the oxidising agent, so, is the bromine in hypobromic acid the reducing agent, or is it the hypobromic acid the reducing agent?