Why Is Oxidative Phosphorylation Called That?

Why Is Oxidative Phosphorylation Called That? In the mitochondrion, what the proton gradient does is facilitate the production of ATP from ADP and Pi. This process is known as oxidative phosphorylation, because the phosphorylation of ADP to ATP is dependent on the oxidative reactions occurring in the mitochondria. Why is the process called oxidative phosphorylation?