Oxidation and Reduction in Terms of Hydrogen Transfer
- Oxidation is the process of losing hydrogen.
- Reduction is the process of gaining hydrogen.
- For example, ethanol can be oxidised to ethanal:
- Ammonia loses hydrogen. Ammonia is oxidised to become nitrogen. This is an oxidation process.
- Bromine gains hydrogen. Bromine is reduced to become hydrogen bromide. This is a reduction process.
Hydrogen Sulphide Reacts with Chlorine
- Hydrogen sulphide is oxidised to become sulphur.
- Chlorine is reduced to become hydrogen peroxide.
Copper(II) oxide Reacts with Ammonia
- Copper(II) oxide is reduced to become copper(II) metal.
- Ammonia is oxidised to become nitrogen gas.