oxidization

Oxidization, also known as oxidation, is a chemical process that involves the loss of electrons from a molecule, atom, or ion. This loss of electrons typically leads to an increase in the oxidation state of the species undergoing oxidation. In many common reactions, oxidation is accompanied by a corresponding reduction, the gain of electrons by another species, in a process called redox (reduction-oxidation) chemistry. Oxygen is frequently involved in these reactions, which is where the term "oxidation" originates, as oxygen is a highly electronegative element that readily accepts electrons.

However, oxidization does not require the presence of oxygen. Any process where an atom or ion loses electrons is considered oxidation. Examples of oxidization include the rusting of iron, where iron loses electrons to oxygen, and the burning of fuels like wood or natural gas, where carbon and hydrogen atoms lose electrons. In biological systems, cellular respiration involves the controlled oxidation of glucose to release energy. The opposite process, gaining electrons, is called reduction. Understanding oxidization is fundamental to many areas of chemistry, including electrochemistry, organic synthesis, and environmental science.