In chemistry,
oxidizing agent has two meanings. In one sense, an oxidizing agent is a chemical species that removes an
electron from another
species. It is one component in an
oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction. In the second sense, an oxidizing agent or an oxidizer is a chemical species that transfers electronegative atoms, usually oxygen, to a substrate. Combustion, many explosives, and
organic redox reactions involve atom-transfer reactions.