oksüdeerima

Oksüdeerima is a chemical process in which a substance loses electrons, resulting in an increased oxidation state. In many contexts, oxidation involves the uptake of oxygen or the removal of hydrogen, but the fundamental definition is based on electron transfer in redox reactions. Oxidation is paired with reduction; together they describe the transfer of electrons between chemical species.

Oxidation states can be tracked using formal rules; an oxidizing agent causes oxidation by accepting electrons from another species (the reducer), whereas the reducer donates electrons. The specific mechanism of oxidation depends on the substance and conditions, and oxidations can be influenced by factors such as temperature, solvent, and catalysts.

Common oxidants include molecular oxygen from air, hydrogen peroxide, and various inorganic and organic reagents such as permanganate or chromate salts. The pathways and outcomes of oxidation are diverse, ranging from simple dehydrogenations to the formation of carbonyl, carboxyl, or oxide products. Reactions can be aerobic or anaerobic, depending on whether oxygen is the primary oxidant.

Examples of oxidation include iron reacting with oxygen to form iron oxide (rust); ethanol being oxidized to acetaldehyde and then to acetic acid; and glucose undergoing oxidation in cellular respiration to release energy. In industry, oxidation is used to synthesize carbonyl compounds, to ferment or treat fuels, and to disinfect surfaces. In biology, oxidative reactions are central to metabolism and energy production, notably in the electron transport chain.

Oxidants can be hazardous and require proper handling and storage, while antioxidants can slow or prevent unwanted oxidation. See also: redox reaction, reduction, oxidation state.