Question

Is bromine is a stronger oxidizing agent than iodine?

Answer 1

Bromine is a more powerful oxidising agent than iodine. Bromine can remove electrons from iodide ions to give iodine - and the iodine can't get them back from the bromide ion.

Br2 (g) + 2 I^-(aq) ----------> 2 Br^-(aq) + 2 I2 (g)

The oxidising ability falls as we go down the Group.

Whenever any halogens is involved in oxidising something in solution, the halogen ends up as halide ions with water molecules attached to them.

Hydration enthalpy of halide ions decreases down the group, the ease with which these hydrated ions are formed falls, and so the halogens become less good as oxidising agents - less ready to take electrons from something else.

The reason that the hydrated ion