- Reduction of an organic molecule usually corresponds to increasing its
hydrogen content or to decreasing its oxygen content.
- Converting a carboxylic acid to an aldehyde is a reduction:
C OH
O O
R
[H]
RCH
Oxygen content decreases
reduction
[H] stands for a reduction of the compound
2) Converting an aldehyde to an alcohol is a reduction:
RCH
O
[H] RCH 2 OH
reduction
Hydrogen content increases
3) Converting a n alcohol to an alkane is a reduction:
RCH 2 OH [H] RCH 3
reduction
Oxygen content decreases
- Oxidation of an organic molecule usually corresponds to increasing its oxygen
content or to decreasing its hydrogen content.
R CH 3 CH 2 OH CH
O
COH
O
R
[ O ]
[ H ]
[ O ]
[ H ] R
[ O ]
Lowest [ H ] R
oxidation
state
Highest
oxidation
state
[O] stands for an oxidation of the compound
1) Oxidation of an organic compound may be more broadly defined as a reaction
that increases its content of any element more electronegative than carbon.
