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Topic: A question about oxidation of a molecule  (Read 14452 times)

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Offline Extra love

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A question about oxidation of a molecule
« on: January 29, 2008, 06:52:51 PM »
How does oxidation of a molecule occur without oxygen?

Offline Kryolith

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Re: A question about oxidation of a molecule
« Reply #1 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

Offline Arkcon

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Re: A question about oxidation of a molecule
« Reply #2 on: January 30, 2008, 02:34:44 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. :(
Hey, I'm not judging.  I just like to shoot straight.  I'm a man of science.

Offline Extra love

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Re: A question about oxidation of a molecule
« Reply #3 on: January 31, 2008, 07:44:20 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.

Offline Sev

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Re: A question about oxidation of a molecule
« Reply #4 on: January 31, 2008, 08:16:06 PM »
Consider rxn: Cu0 + 2Ag+ → Cu2+ + 2Ag0

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

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