Why do strong oxidizers and hydroxide not react with each other?

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Hydroxide is identified as a strong reducing agent, potentially the strongest in aqueous solutions. Oxyacids, when deprotonated, are considered strong oxidizing agents; however, they generally do not react with strong hydroxide solutions. The discussion highlights that while oxidation of organic compounds often utilizes potassium permanganate in the presence of a strong base, certain compounds like potassium nitrate and sodium hydroxide show no significant reactivity. The production of sodium hypochlorite from chlorine gas and sodium hydroxide further illustrates that hypochlorite does not react with hydroxide at a meaningful rate. The conversation raises the question of why oxyacids do not interact with hydroxide, suggesting that an acid-base reaction could occur instead.
ShawnD
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Hydroxide is a strong reducing agent, probably the strongest that can exist in water.
Oxyacids without the hydrogen are all strong oxidizing agents, but most oxyacids (all?), without their hydrogen, can be put in a strong hydroxide solution and nothing will happen. Oxidation of organics with potassium permanganate is often done in the presence of a strong base. Potassium nitrate and sodium hydroxide don't seem to react. Sodium hypochlorite is made by bubbling chlorine gas into sodium hydroxide, so obviously hypochlorite does not react with hydroxide, or it does at a rate so slow that it's almost nonexistent.

Shouldn't something happen between oxyacids and hydroxide?
 
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ShawnD said:
Hydroxide is a strong reducing agent
?
, probably the strongest that can exist in water.
\displaystyle {OH^-}

doesn't react with water to give

\displaystyle {H_2}.
Oxyacids without the hydrogen
What do you mean? Their coniugated base?
are all strong oxidizing agents
Not all.

\displaystyle {H_2SO_3, ~H_2CO_3, ~H_3PO_4,~H_3BO_3}

are not (for example) and not even their coniugated bases:

\displaystyle {HSO_3^-, ~SO_3^{2-},~HCO_3^-,~\displaystyle{ecc.}

, but most oxyacids (all?), without their hydrogen, can be put in a strong hydroxide solution and nothing will happen. Oxidation of organics with potassium permanganate is often done in the presence of a strong base. Potassium nitrate and sodium hydroxide don't seem to react. Sodium hypochlorite is made by bubbling chlorine gas into sodium hydroxide, so obviously hypochlorite does not react with hydroxide, or it does at a rate so slow that it's almost nonexistent.
Shouldn't something happen between oxyacids and hydroxide?
Yes, an acid-base reaction :smile:
 
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