Hydroquinine acts as a reducing agent to achieve which result?

• A. Reduction
• B. Oxidation
• C. Staining
• D. Differentiation

Answer: (A)

Hydroquinone acts by donating electrons, so it serves as a reducing agent. In redox chemistry, the reducing agent is oxidized itself while the other substance gains electrons and is reduced. Therefore, the result is a reduction of the other species. Hydroquinone becomes oxidized (to benzoquinone) as it reduces its partner. The other options describe either the opposite process (oxidation) or unrelated outcomes (staining, differentiation), which aren’t what a reducing agent produces.