Generalization
Oxidation of carbon occurs when a bond
between
carbon and an atom which is less electronegative
than carbon is replaced by a bond to an atom that
is more electronegative than carbon. The reverse
process is reduction.
carbon and an atom which is less electronegative
than carbon is replaced by a bond to an atom that
is more electronegative than carbon. The reverse
process is reduction.
X
Y
X less
electronegative than carbon
Y more
electronegative than carbon
oxidation
reduction
C
C