Understanding Redox Reactions and Applications

Oxidation and reduction definitions

Oxidation and reduction (redox) are chemical processes in which oxidation states change. Oxidation is defined as the loss of electrons or an increase in oxidation state, while reduction is the gain of electrons or a decrease in oxidation state. In a redox reaction, oxidation and reduction occur simultaneously because electrons lost by one species are gained by another. The species that causes oxidation is the oxidant (oxidizing agent/electron acceptor), and it is reduced in the reaction. Conversely, the species that causes reduction is the reductant (reducing agent/electron donor), and it is oxidized in the reaction. These roles can be confusing because the “oxidized” or “reduced” wording describes what happens to the species, not the name of the agent; mnemonics like OIL RIG (oxidation is loss of electrons; reduction is gain of electrons) help distinguish the definitions.

0/2 modes complete

Oxidants, oxidizing agents, electron acceptors

0/2 modes complete