Question

Why do halogens act as oxidising agents?

Answer 1

Halogens act as oxidizing agents. Their electronic configuration is ns² np⁵. So all the halogens are ready to gain one electron to attain the nearest inert gas configuration. An oxidizing agent is one that is ready to gain an electron. So all the halogens act as oxidizing agents. Also, halogens are highly electro-negative with low dissociation energy and high negative electron gain enthalpies. Therefore, halogens have a high tendency to gain an electron. Hence they act as oxidizing agents.