Halogens act as oxidizing agents. Their electronic configuration is ns2 np5 . So all the halogens are ready to gain one electron to attain the nearest inert gas configuration. An oxidizing agent is the one which is ready to gain an electron. So all the halogens act as oxidizing agents. Also halogens are highly electro negative with low dissociation energy and high negative electron gain enthalpies. Therefore, the halogens have a high tendency to gain an electron. Hence they act as oxidizing agents.
