Reducing equivalent

In biochemistry, the term reducing equivalent refers to any of a number of chemical species which transfer the equivalent of one electron in redox reactions^[1]. Examples of reducing equivalents are:

• A lone electron (for example in reactions involving metal ions)
• A hydrogen atom (consisting of a proton and an electron)
• A hydride ion (:H^–) which carries two electrons (for example in reactions involving NAD)

References

1. ^ Jain, J.L. (2004). Fundamentals of Biochemistry. S. Chand. ISBN 8121924537.