It goes without saying that every reduction agent has different reducing properties and strengths in terms of what sort of bond it can reduce/hydrogenate. But, why does it generally follow that hydrogen takes the place of an oxygen molecule during a hydrogenation/reduction reaction (in the presence of the necessary hydrogen or $\ce{H}$-donor of course)?
What is it about the properties of oxygen that makes it so ready to disassociate from the molecule when it gains an electron, allowing hydrogen to take its place? I'm sure there is something simple that I'm missing, but any explanation is appreciated.
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