An Oxidizer

<p>Substances that have the ability to oxidize other substances (cause them to lose electrons) are said to be oxidative or oxidizing and are known as oxidizing agents, oxidants, or oxidizers. That is, the oxidant (oxidizing agent) removes electrons from another substance, and is thus itself reduced. And, because it "accepts" electrons, the oxidizing agent is also called an electron acceptor. Oxygen is the quintessential oxidizer.</p><p></p><p>Oxidants are usually chemical substances with elements in high oxidation states (e.g., H</p><p>2O</p><p>2, MnO−</p><p>4, CrO</p><p>3, Cr</p><p>2O2−</p><p>7, OsO</p><p>4), or else highly electronegative elements (O2, F2, Cl2, Br2) that can gain extra electrons by oxidizing another substance.</p>