Which neutralization process involves oxidation?

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Multiple Choice

Which neutralization process involves oxidation?

Explanation:
The key idea is that only some neutralization steps involve a redox (oxidation–reduction) change. In thiol (thio) neutralization, the hair has just been reduced, meaning disulfide bonds were converted to sulfhydryl (-SH) groups. The neutralizer then oxidizes those -SH groups back to disulfide bonds (-S–S), re-forming the cross-links and setting the new texture. This oxidation step is what makes thio neutralization a redox process. Hydroxide neutralization, on the other hand, is an acid–base reaction. It restores the hair’s pH after an alkaline processing step and does not involve oxidation of disulfide bonds or electron transfer. So it does not involve oxidation. Therefore, thio neutralization is the process that involves oxidation.

The key idea is that only some neutralization steps involve a redox (oxidation–reduction) change. In thiol (thio) neutralization, the hair has just been reduced, meaning disulfide bonds were converted to sulfhydryl (-SH) groups. The neutralizer then oxidizes those -SH groups back to disulfide bonds (-S–S), re-forming the cross-links and setting the new texture. This oxidation step is what makes thio neutralization a redox process.

Hydroxide neutralization, on the other hand, is an acid–base reaction. It restores the hair’s pH after an alkaline processing step and does not involve oxidation of disulfide bonds or electron transfer. So it does not involve oxidation.

Therefore, thio neutralization is the process that involves oxidation.

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