DISPROPORTIONATION

/dis'preuh pawr'sheuh nay"sheuhn, -pohr'-/ , n. Chem.

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 .

[ 1925-30; DISPROPORTION + -ATION ]