oxidised

Oxidised is a term used in chemistry to describe a substance that has undergone oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that involves the loss of electrons by a molecule, atom, or ion. This loss of electrons typically results in an increase in the oxidation state of the species. The opposite process is reduction, where a substance gains electrons.

Oxidation can occur through various mechanisms. A common form of oxidation involves the reaction with oxygen, as the name suggests, where oxygen atoms are added to a substance. However, oxidation can also occur with other oxidizing agents, which are substances that readily accept electrons. For instance, halogens like chlorine or bromine are strong oxidizing agents.

The concept of oxidation is fundamental in chemistry and has widespread applications. It is involved in processes such as combustion, respiration, and corrosion. In organic chemistry, oxidation reactions are crucial for transforming functional groups and synthesizing new compounds. For example, alcohols can be oxidized to aldehydes or ketones. In biochemistry, cellular respiration is a series of oxidation-reduction reactions that generate energy for living organisms. The term "oxidised" can also refer to the state of a substance after it has undergone such a reaction, indicating its modified chemical composition and properties.