Key Reaction Definitions Flashcards
What is oxidation?
Oxidation, also known as dehydrogenation, is the loss of electrons.
What is the significance of hydrogens in oxidation?
For organic reactions, oxidation is the loss of hydrogens, which carry the electrons.
What do biological systems need for electron transport?
Biological systems need a carrier for the electrons of these reactions, which are usually hydrogens.
What is the typical electron loss in oxidation reactions?
These reactions typically involve losing two electrons or two hydrogens.
What is reduction?
Reduction, also known as hydrogenation, is the gain of electrons.
What is the typical electron gain in reduction reactions?
These reactions generally gain two electrons or hydrogens at a time.
How are oxidation and reduction reactions related?
Oxidation and reduction reactions are always coupled.
What happens if a molecule is oxidized?
If a molecule is oxidized, then another molecule must be reduced (or vice versa).
What are coenzymes and their role in redox reactions?
Coenzymes (derived from vitamins) carry the hydrogens in oxidation-reduction reactions, including NAD+, NADH, FMN, and FAD.
What are redox reactions?
Oxidation-reduction reactions are typically referred to as ‘redox’ reactions.
How do dehydration and hydration reactions differ from redox reactions?
Dehydration and hydration reactions involve the loss and gain of an entire water molecule and are not redox reactions.
What are protonation and deprotonation reactions?
Protonation and deprotonation reactions are another set of reactions to differentiate.
Does a dehydrogenation reaction involve removal of one electron?
No, dehydrogenation does not involve the removal of just one electron; it refers to the removal of a hydrogen atom (which consists of one proton and one electron), meaning the molecule loses electron density overall, but not necessarily a single, isolated electron. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Key points about dehydrogenation: [1, 3, 5]
• Definition: Dehydrogenation is a chemical reaction where a hydrogen atom is removed from a molecule, typically from an organic compound. [1, 3, 5]
• Oxidation process: Since a hydrogen atom is removed, dehydrogenation is considered an oxidation reaction as it results in a loss of electron density from the molecule. [1, 4, 6]
• No single electron loss: When a hydrogen atom is removed, both the proton and the electron are taken away, not just one electron by itself. [1, 2, 3]
