Question

I have: Methane, Methanol, Formaldehyde, Formic Acid, and Carbon Dioxide.

which of these is the most likely to participate in reactions as a substance that is reduced? is oxidized?

Answer 1

@aum please help

Answer 2

@nincompoop @Miracrown pleaseee help!!

Answer 3

CO@ will easily get reduced...and formaldehyde will get oxidised!!

Answer 4

**CO2

Answer 5

First what they look like

Answer 6

This will help you tell the difference,

LEO the lion says GRR

Lose electrons oxidation
gain electrons reduction

formaldehyde is more likely to be attacked by an nucleophile (electronegative atom) as it is more polarized, formic acid has more resonance structures which is an indication of a stabilized carbonyl C, thus it is more likely to be oxidized.

Formic acid is more likely to be reduced for reasons dictated in the previous paragraph, reduction in this example would be the hydroxide leaving and formic acid forming formaldehyde, which would result in reduction of the carbon.