Reducing action

The reducing action of sulphurous acid and sulphites in solution leads to their use as mild bleaching agents (for example magenta and some natural dyes, such as indigo, and the yellow dye in wool and straw are bleached). They are also used as a preservative for fruit and other foodstuffs for this reason. Other uses are to remove chlorine from fabrics after bleaching and in photography. 

Nitro compounds and their reduction products. Tertiary nitro compounds (these are generally aromatic) are reduced by zinc and ammonium chloride solution to the corresponding hydroxylamines, which may be detected by their reducing action upon an ammoniacal solution of silver nitrate or Tollen s reagent ... 

Selenium also forms a large number of organic compounds. Of special interest are the oxidizing and reducing actions of selenium and its compounds. Chemical reactions are described in detail elsewhere (1 9). Organic reactions are reviewed in References 10 and 11. The organic chemistry and biochemistry of selenium is also available (12—16). 

The reducing action of formic acid and foimates on metallic salts may be ascribed to the presence of the aldehyde group (0H)CH 0 in the acid. 

The aldehyde may be distinguished fiom the ketone by its reducing action on alkaline copper sulphate, ammonia-sih er nitrate and by SchifPs test (see Reactions, p. 67). 

The alkyl radicals possess reducing activity as well. In the disproportionation reaction, one alkyl radical reacts as an acceptor and another as a donor of the hydrogen atom. This is the reason for the reducing action of alkyl radicals in reactions with peroxides. 

Xylan has the general properties of insolubility in water, solubility in alkaline solutions, ease of acid hydrolysis, high negative optical rotation, and non-reducing action toward Fehling s solution. It can be placed in three general polysaccharide classes (1) pentosan, (2) glycan, and (3) hemicellulose. It is classed as a pentosan because it is principally a polymer of a pentose. It is by far the most abundant pentosan. 

It is not impossible that the sodium in the initial reaction may have a reducing action ... 

Experiment 1.—Dilute a few drops of formaldehyde or acetaldehyde with a few c.c. of water, add a small amount of ammoniacal silver solution, and divide the mixture between two test tubes. Into one test tube run a few drops of sodium hydroxide solution an immediate separation of metallic silver takes place. From the other solution after standing for some time in the cold, or more quickly on warming, the silver separates. Thus the oxidising action of ammoniacal silver solution is very considerably increased by sodium hydroxide (Tollens). Also test the reducing action of the aldehydes on Fehling s solution. 

Those bioses in which the aldehydic (cyclo-acetal) carbonyl group is free have a reducing action (on Fehling s solution). 

Most of the compounds showing powerful reducing action have been listed separately under the group headings ... 

Unlike the discussion on environmental policy in the 1980s, support for a strict continuation of environmental and health policy appears rather to have waned. After some scandalous classic hazards were reduced, actions for precautionary risk reduction again appear to be weighted more against the requirements of industrial and economic policy. This is also reflected in the fact that the latest initiatives by the EU Commission in the area of enviromnental and chemicals pohcy were accompanied by an intensive discussion of the correct method for assessing the consequences of legislation. 

In general, nonopioid analgesics are characterized by three fundamental types of action analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and fever-reducing action, which are used for alleviation of headaches, myalgia, arthralgia, and that do not have sedative or soporific effects. Euphoria, addiction, and drug dependence do not result from their use. 

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