Is H2SO4 a reducing agent for CuO + H2SO4 –> CuSO4 + H2O?
No, H2SO4 is not acting as a reducing agent; in fact, that is not a redox reaction. That is an acid, H2SO4, reacting with an oxide, CuO, forming a salt and water. That is an acid-base reaction. A redox reaction occurs when a substance loses electrons and the other gains electrons, i.e., their oxidation states are changed. To prove this, count up the “charge” (oxidation state) on each atom in each molecule, you will see that on both sides of the reaction H = +1, S = +6, O = -2, and Cu = +2. If no electrons were transferred, no redox occurred.
