Oxidation Reduction Ch 13

Summary

This video delves into oxidation-reduction reactions, particularly in organic substances. It explains the fundamental concepts of oxidation (loss of electrons) and reduction (gain of electrons), illustrated through examples like ethanol oxidizing to ethanal. Key mechanisms such as catalytic hydrogenation and the roles of oxidizing and reducing agents are discussed. The video also covers the importance of coenzymes like NAD+ and FAD in biochemical pathways, emphasizing their functions in facilitating these reactions. Additionally, it highlights practical applications, such as breathalyzer tests, showcasing the real-world relevance of oxidation-reduction processes.

Takeaways

• 😀 Oxidation and reduction reactions involve energy transfer: oxidation is the loss of electrons, while reduction is the gain of electrons.
• 😀 Use the acronyms OIL RIG and LEO goes GER to remember that oxidation is loss and reduction is gain.
• 😀 In organic compounds, tracking oxidation and reduction is done through changes in oxygen and hydrogen atoms.
• 😀 An oxidizing agent is reduced during the reaction, causing another substance to undergo oxidation.
• 😀 A reducing agent is oxidized, which facilitates the reduction of another compound.
• 😀 Ethanol can be oxidized to ethanal, showcasing a loss of hydrogen atoms.
• 😀 Alkanes can be oxidized to alkenes and further to alkynes, with corresponding decreases in hydrogen.
• 😀 Catalytic hydrogenation is a process where alkenes are converted to alkanes by adding hydrogen in the presence of a metal catalyst.
• 😀 Different types of alcohols oxidize differently: primary alcohols to aldehydes, secondary to ketones, and tertiary alcohols do not react.
• 😀 Coenzymes like NAD+ and FAD are crucial in biochemical pathways, acting as oxidizing and reducing agents without being consumed in the process.

Q & A

What are oxidation-reduction reactions, and how do they relate to energy transfer?

Oxidation-reduction reactions involve the transfer of electrons, where one reactant loses electrons (oxidation) and another gains those electrons (reduction). This transfer is associated with energy changes in the reacting substances.

What memory triggers are used to remember oxidation and reduction?

The acronyms 'oil rig' (oxidation is loss, reduction is gain) and 'Leo go g' (loss of electrons is oxidation, gain of electrons is reduction) help in remembering the concepts of oxidation and reduction.

How can one determine if a reaction involves oxidation or reduction in organic substances?

In organic substances, oxidation can be identified by an increase in oxygen atoms and/or a decrease in hydrogen atoms, while reduction is characterized by a decrease in oxygen atoms and an increase in hydrogen atoms.

What role does the oxidizing agent play in a reaction?

The oxidizing agent is the reactant that gets reduced during the reaction, causing the organic compound to undergo oxidation.

What happens to ethanol during its oxidation to ethanal?

Ethanol (with six hydrogen atoms) is oxidized to ethanal (with four hydrogen atoms), indicating a loss of hydrogen atoms, which confirms that oxidation has occurred.

What is catalytic hydrogenation and how does it relate to alkenes?

Catalytic hydrogenation is a reaction where alkenes (carbon-carbon double bonds) react with hydrogen in the presence of a metal catalyst, resulting in the formation of alkanes (single bonds). This process is considered reduction as hydrogen atoms are added.

What happens to primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols during oxidation?

Primary alcohols oxidize to aldehydes, secondary alcohols to ketones, and tertiary alcohols do not undergo oxidation because they lack hydrogen atoms to lose.

How do co-enzymes like NAD+ and FAD function in biochemical pathways?

NAD+ and FAD serve as co-enzymes that participate in oxidation-reduction reactions by gaining or losing hydrogen atoms, thereby facilitating the conversion of organic compounds.

What is the significance of chromium 6 in breathalyzer tests?

Chromium 6 (Cr +6) acts as an oxidizing agent in breathalyzer tests, helping to determine the concentration of ethanol in a person's breath by measuring the change in its oxidation state.

What determines whether a reaction occurs in terms of oxidation or reduction?

Whether a reaction involves oxidation or reduction depends on the loss or gain of electrons (or hydrogen/oxygen atoms). A substrate undergoes oxidation if it loses hydrogen or gains oxygen, while it undergoes reduction if it gains hydrogen or loses oxygen.