disproportionation

[ dis-pruh-pawr-shuh-ney-shuhn, -pohr- ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. the simultaneous oxidation and reduction of a substance reacting with itself, thereby forming two dissimilar molecules, as 2C 2 H 4 →C 2 H 6 +C 2 H 2 .

disproportionation

/ ˌdɪsprəˌpɔːʃəˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. a reaction between two identical molecules in which one is reduced and the other oxidized

Word History and Origins

Origin of disproportionation¹

First recorded in 1925–30; disproportion + -ation