Oxidation and reduction reactions of organic compounds
Reactions that result in fewer multiple bonds are classed as reductions.
Reactions that result in additional carbon-oxygen bonds are classed as oxidations.
aldehyde
The oxidant commonly used in organic chemistry is Cr(+6) in the form of chromic acid (H2CrO4). The chromium-containing product is Cr3+(aq).
secondary alcohol
primary alcohol
In order to be susceptible to oxidation, a compound must have a carbon bonded to both O and H.
Reaction of an alkene with H2 can be described as either an addition or a reduction reaction.
Both alkenes and alkynes are susceptible to reduction with H2.
CH3CH=CH2 
CH3CH2CH3
CH3CH2CH3Reactions that result in additional carbon-oxygen bonds are classed as oxidations.
Note that in each of the oxidation reactions below, C-H bonds in reactants have been replaced by C-O bonds in products.
Rolling your your mouse over each reactant highlights the change that has occurred.
Rolling your your mouse over each reactant highlights the change that has occurred.aldehyde
The oxidant commonly used in organic chemistry is Cr(+6) in the form of chromic acid (H2CrO4). The chromium-containing product is Cr3+(aq).
secondary alcohol
primary alcohol
In order to be susceptible to oxidation, a compound must have a carbon bonded to both O and H.
Thus the products of the reactions above are not susceptible to oxidation.
This means that tertiary alcohols such as shown at the right are unreactive toward simple oxidation.