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Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: bionicman on March 17, 2014, 10:55:03 PM

Title: Fumaric Acid to Maleic Acid (Hydration or Reduciton?)
Post by: bionicman on March 17, 2014, 10:55:03 PM

Hi Folks,

My first post here.. please excuse my limited chemistry knowledge.

My understanding of oxidation and reduction in organic chemistry is as follows:

REDUCTION is:
- Gain of electron
- Gain of Hydrogen
- Loss of Oxygen
- Loss of = or triple bond

OXIDATION is:
- Loss of electron
- Loss of Hydrogen
- Gain of Oxygen
- Gain of = or triple bond.


Now... is this correct?

If so, then why do we consider the formation of Maleic Acid from Fumaric Acid (in the Kreb's cycle) as a Hydration and not a Reduction reaction? considering that we indeed gain H and lose a double bond?

We also gain an Oxygen (in the -OH) bond formed... doesn't that make it oxidation?

I'm confused.

What's the best way to explain Oxidation and Reduction reactions in Organic Chemistry?

Thanks in advance guys!

Title: Re: Fumaric Acid to Maleic Acid (Hydration or Reduciton?)
Post by: zsinger on March 18, 2014, 12:45:22 AM

Think of reduction as a reduction in the number of carbon bonds to electronegative elements. :).  Best way I ever learned it, and as it applies to orgo, the most useful definition IMHO.
             -Z