OF2 + H2O -> O2 + 2HF What's being oxidized and what's being reduced?

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SUMMARY

The chemical reaction OF2 + H2O -> O2 + 2HF involves the oxidation of OF2 and the reduction of H2O. In this reaction, the oxidation number of oxygen in OF2 is -1, which is unusual, while in H2O, it is -2. The oxygen in H2O is oxidized to O2, increasing its oxidation state from -2 to 0, while the fluorine in OF2 is reduced to form HF, where its oxidation state changes from -1 to -1. Thus, OF2 is oxidized, and H2O is reduced in this reaction.

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Homework Statement


Hi all,

I'm going back through some previous exam papers, and one of the questions is:

Use oxidation numbers to identify which substances are oxidized and which are reduced:
OF2 + H2O -> O2 + 2HF

I know the oxygen in OF2 is a special case, so to me it looks like OF2 is being oxidized, but it I don't know what's happening the H2O...

Can anyone shed any light on this please?

Thanks a lot!
 
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