Question

question 2 when comparing three oxidizing agents, nitric acid, cr⁺⁶ and hydrogen peroxide: no answer text provided. nitric acid is the \greenest\ because it is the cheapest reagent by the mole. nitric acid is the \greenest\ because it has the highest oxidizing potential hydrogen peroxide is the \greenest\ because it produces innocuous by - products

Explanation:

To determine the "greenest" oxidizing agent, we consider the by - products. Green chemistry emphasizes minimizing harm. Nitric acid can produce harmful by - products like nitrogen oxides. $\text{Cr}^{+6}$ is toxic. Hydrogen peroxide ($\ce{H_2O_2}$) decomposes into water ($\ce{H_2O}$) and oxygen ($\ce{O_2}$), which are innocuous (harmless) by - products. The other options are incorrect: cost (first nitric acid option) and oxidizing potential (second nitric acid option) are not the main criteria for "greenness"; the focus is on environmentally friendly by - products.

Answer:

D. Hydrogen peroxide is the "greenest" because it produces innocuous by - products