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Related Concept Videos

Radical Autoxidation01:20

Radical Autoxidation

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The oxidation of an organic compound in the presence of air or oxygen is called autoxidation. For example, cumene reacts with oxygen to form hydroperoxide. Autoxidation involves initiation, propagation, and termination steps. Many organic compounds are susceptible to autoxidation—especially ethers in the presence of oxygen, which form hydroperoxides. Even though this reaction is slow, old ether bottles contain small amounts of peroxide, which leads to laboratory explosions during ether...
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Oxidation of Phenols to Quinones01:17

Oxidation of Phenols to Quinones

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In the presence of oxidizing agents, phenols are oxidized to quinones. Quinones can be easily reduced back to phenols using mild reducing agents. The electron-donating hydroxyl group enhances the reactivity of the aromatic ring, enabling oxidation of the ring even in the absence of an α hydrogen.
o-hydroxy phenols are oxidized to o-quinones and p-hydroxy phenols to p-quinones. Such redox reactions involve the transfer of two electrons and two protons. The reversible redox...
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Oxidation of Alkenes: Anti Dihydroxylation with Peroxy Acids02:04

Oxidation of Alkenes: Anti Dihydroxylation with Peroxy Acids

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Diols are compounds with two hydroxyl groups. In addition to syn dihydroxylation, diols can also be synthesized through the process of anti dihydroxylation. The process involves treating an alkene with a peroxycarboxylic acid to form an epoxide. Epoxides are highly strained three-membered rings with oxygen and two carbons occupying the corners of an equilateral triangle. This step is followed by ring-opening of the epoxide in the presence of an aqueous acid to give a trans diol.
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Oxidation-Reduction Reactions03:11

Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

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Oxidation–Reduction Reactions
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Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Potassium Permanganate02:21

Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Potassium Permanganate

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Alkenes can be dihydroxylated using potassium permanganate.  The method encompasses the reaction of an alkene with a cold, dilute solution of potassium permanganate under basic conditions to form a cis-diol along with a brown precipitate of manganese dioxide.
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Radical Reactivity: Steric Effects01:10

Radical Reactivity: Steric Effects

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The presence of electron-donating, electron-withdrawing, or conjugating groups adjacent to a radical center, imparts electronic stabilization to the radicals. Examples of such electronically-stabilized radicals are triphenylmethyl, tetramethylpiperidine‐N‐oxide, and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl. These radicals are remarkably stable and are known as persistent radicals. Some of the persistent radicals can even be isolated and purified.
Along with electronic...
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Imaging Approaches to Assessments of Toxicological Oxidative Stress Using Genetically-encoded Fluorogenic Sensors
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Antioxidants: A Hot Controversy Defused by Cool Semantics.

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  • 1Division of Bioorganic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Saarland University, D-66123 Saarbruecken, Germany.

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Summary

The definition and health benefits of antioxidants are debated due to semantic issues, not just scientific data. Clarifying the term "antioxidants" across disciplines is key to resolving this controversy.

Keywords:
antioxidantscomplexitylanguage gamemechanistic causalityreductionismsemantics

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Physiology
  • Scientific Terminology

Background:

  • A controversial debate exists regarding the definition and health benefits of antioxidants.
  • Scientific evidence remains divided, supporting both pro- and anti-antioxidant viewpoints.
  • The core of the controversy may stem from semantic issues rather than empirical data.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the semantic ambiguity surrounding the term "antioxidants".
  • To propose a resolution for the ongoing debate on antioxidant efficacy and definition.
  • To clarify the appropriate use of the term "antioxidants" across scientific disciplines.

Main Methods:

  • Linguistic analysis of the term "antioxidants" across different scientific fields.
  • Examination of the term's application in various levels of scientific complexity, from chemistry to physiology.
  • Review of existing scientific literature and health claims related to antioxidants.

Main Results:

  • The term "antioxidants" is used with different meanings and connotations across disciplines.
  • Transposing the term from basic sciences (e.g., chemistry) to complex ones (e.g., physiology) leads to empirical inconsistencies.
  • Unclear or broad usage of "antioxidants" can result in unsubstantiated health claims.

Conclusions:

  • The antioxidant debate is largely semantic, requiring clarification of terminology.
  • Refrain from using "antioxidants" where its meaning is unclear; limit its use to specific, essential contexts.
  • Specify terms like "dietary antioxidants" when warranted to ensure empirical accuracy and avoid misleading health claims.