In chemistry, a self-catalyzed reaction where a substance simultaneously reduces and oxidizes itself, acting as both the reducing agent and the oxidizing agent.
From 'auto-' (self) and 'reduction' (in chemistry, the gain of electrons). This term describes a specific type of chemical reaction that emerged as chemists studied molecular behavior in the 20th century.
Some molecules are so reactive they basically fight with themselves, with one part pulling electrons from another part—imagine an atom being both the thief and the police officer chasing itself.
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