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In oxidation-reduction reactions, electron transfer plays a crucial role in determining whether a substance is being oxidized or reduced. Electrons are tiny charged particles, and their movement between atoms and molecules is what defines these processes.
Oxidation involves the loss of electrons, while reduction involves the gain of electrons. An easy way to remember this is through the mnemonic "OIL RIG" - Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain.
In any redox reaction, one substance will donate electrons, known as the reducing agent, while the other substance will accept them, known as the oxidizing agent. This electron transfer results in changes in the oxidation states of the substances involved.

The oxidation state, also known as oxidation number, is an indicator of the degree of oxidation of an atom in a chemical compound. It represents the hypothetical charge that an atom would have if all bonds to atoms of different elements were completely ionic.
When a reaction occurs, the change in oxidation state indicates an electron transfer. If the oxidation state increases, the atom is oxidized. Conversely, if the oxidation state decreases, the atom is reduced.
Identifying oxidation states in molecules can help predict and explain redox reactions. For example, in our exercise, identifying an increase in oxidation state supports the fact that a molecule undergoes oxidation when hydrogen is removed.

The removal of hydrogen atoms from a molecule is an excellent example of oxidation. Typically, hydrogen atoms contribute to the electron density of a molecule. When hydrogen is removed, the molecule loses these electrons.
This loss aligns with the fundamental concept of oxidation, which involves the loss of electrons. Therefore, when hydrogen atoms are taken away, the molecule can be considered oxidized.
Understanding the relationship between hydrogen removal and oxidation enhances the comprehension of broader chemical reactions, where hydrogen's presence or absence can act as a tell-tale sign of oxidation-reduction processes.