DISPROPORTIONATION Meaning and
Definition
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Disproportionation is a chemical reaction in which a single substance is oxidized and reduced simultaneously, resulting in the formation of two different products with contrasting oxidation states. This process occurs when a reactant undergoes both oxidation and reduction, proceeding to generate two compounds with distinct levels of electron loss or gain.
In a disproportionation reaction, the reactant molecule typically possesses an intermediate oxidation state, which subsequently splits into two different molecules with a lower and a higher oxidation state, respectively. This reaction follows the form: A → B + C, where A represents the reactant species, while B and C represent the two newly formed products.
The underlying mechanism involves the transfer of electrons between atoms within the reactant molecule. Initially, some atoms experience oxidation, losing electrons, while others undergo reduction, gaining electrons. This redistribution of electron density within the reactant leads to the formation of two distinct products with varying oxidation states.
Disproportionation reactions frequently occur in chemical systems involving elements with multiple oxidation states, such as transition metals including iron and manganese. These reactions play a significant role in various biological and industrial processes, including catalysis, redox reactions, and the synthesis of certain compounds. By understanding disproportionation reactions, scientists can gain valuable insights into chemical transformations and develop more efficient methods for specific applications.
Common Misspellings for DISPROPORTIONATION
- sisproportionation
- xisproportionation
- cisproportionation
- fisproportionation
- risproportionation
- eisproportionation
- dusproportionation
- djsproportionation
- dksproportionation
- dosproportionation
- d9sproportionation
- d8sproportionation
- diaproportionation
- dizproportionation
- dixproportionation
- didproportionation
- dieproportionation
- diwproportionation
- disoroportionation
- dislroportionation
Etymology of DISPROPORTIONATION
The word "disproportionation" is derived from the Latin prefix "dis-" meaning 'apart', 'in different directions', or 'not', and the noun "proportion" which comes from the Latin word "proportio" meaning 'comparative relation' or 'ratio'.
The suffix "-ation" is a noun-forming suffix in English that indicates the action or process of the word's root. In this case, it denotes the process or action of making something disproportionate or causing it to have unequal or unbalanced proportions.
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