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Specialty Chemistry Forums => Other Sciences Question Forum => Topic started by: Extra love on January 29, 2008, 06:52:51 PM

Title: A question about oxidation of a molecule
Post by: Extra love on January 29, 2008, 06:52:51 PM
How does oxidation of a molecule occur without oxygen?
Title: Re: A question about oxidation of a molecule
Post by: Kryolith on January 30, 2008, 01:55:18 PM
"Oxidation describes the loss of electrons by a molecule, atom or ion"

You need a reactan that is "willing" to accept electrons (and thus being reduced)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redox
Title: Re: A question about oxidation of a molecule
Post by: Arkcon on January 30, 2008, 02:34:44 PM
Quote from: Extra love on January 29, 2008, 06:52:51 PM
How does oxidation of a molecule occur without oxygen?

Simple.  The definition of oxidation was changed, without changing the name.  It used to mean the reaction of oxygen with free metal.  It was changed to mean transfer of electrons from any source to another source, like Kryolith said.  Lots of terms used by people named Lavoisier and the like, did not survive the centuries unchanged. :(
Title: Re: A question about oxidation of a molecule
Post by: Extra love on January 31, 2008, 07:44:20 PM
Quote from: Arkcon on January 30, 2008, 02:34:44 PM
Quote from: Extra love on January 29, 2008, 06:52:51 PM
How does oxidation of a molecule occur without oxygen?

Simple.  The definition of oxidation was changed, without changing the name.  It used to mean the reaction of oxygen with free metal.  It was changed to mean transfer of electrons from any source to another source, like Kryolith said.  Lots of terms used by people named Lavoisier and the like, did not survive the centuries unchanged. :(

I didn't get what you mean.
Title: Re: A question about oxidation of a molecule
Post by: Sev on January 31, 2008, 08:16:06 PM
Consider rxn: Cu0 + 2Ag+ → Cu2+ + 2Ag0

Cu has lost e-s - it has been oxidised.