Oxygenated

Oxygenated is an adjective used in science to describe a substance that contains oxygen atoms as part of its structure, or a process that introduces oxygen into a molecule. It is commonly applied to organic and inorganic compounds, as well as to biological and environmental contexts where oxygen is added or carried.

In chemistry, oxygenation denotes the incorporation of oxygen into a substrate or the formation of oxygen-containing functional groups. Typical examples of oxygenated functional groups include alcohols (ROH), carbonyl compounds such as aldehydes and ketones (R-CHO, R-CO-R'), carboxylic acids (R-COOH), esters (RCOOR'), ethers (R-O-R'), peroxides (ROOR'), and epoxides. Inorganic oxygenation can refer to compounds that themselves contain oxygen, such as metal oxides. Oxygenation is a common step in organic synthesis and metabolic pathways, often involving hydroxylation, oxidation, or ring formation.

In biology and medicine, the term is used to describe the state of being rich in oxygen. Oxygenated blood, for example, contains higher levels of dissolved oxygen and is typically associated with arterial blood, in contrast to deoxygenated blood. Oxygenation processes also underpin treatments such as supplemental oxygen therapy and the management of hypoxia. In environmental science, dissolved oxygen refers to the amount of oxygen available in water, a key factor for aquatic life.

Practical applications include oxygenated water (water with dissolved oxygen), oxygenated fuels or additives that improve combustion and reduce emissions, and oxygenated solvents used in laboratory and industrial contexts. The concept is distinct from oxidation and is often discussed alongside terms such as oxygenation and oxygenatable in chemical and biological literature.