Assigning Oxidation States Example Problem

Assigning Oxidation States Example Problem The oxidation state of an atom in a molecule refers to the degree of oxidation of that atom. Oxidation states are assigned to atoms by a set of rules based on the arrangement of electrons and bonds around that atom. This means each atom in the molecule has its own oxidation state which could be different from similar atoms in the same molecule.These examples will use the rules outlined in Rules for Assigning Oxidation Numbers. Key Takeaways: Assigning Oxidation States An oxidation number refer to the quantity of electrons that may be gained or lost by an atom. An atom of an element may be capable of multiple oxidation numbers.The oxidation state is the positive or negative number of an atom in a compound, which may be found by comparing the numbers of electrons shared by the cation and anion in the compound needed to balance each others charge.The cation has a positive oxidation state, while the anion has a negative oxidation state. The cation is listed first in a formula or compound name. Problem: Assign oxidation states to each atom in H2OAccording to rule 5, oxygen atoms typically have an oxidation state of -2.According to rule 4, hydrogen atoms have an oxidation state of 1.We can check this using rule 9 where the sum of all oxidation states in a neutral molecule is equal to zero.(2 x 1) (2 H) -2 (O) 0 TrueThe oxidation states check out.Answer: The hydrogen atoms have an oxidation state of 1 and the oxygen atom has an oxidation state of -2.Problem: Assign oxidation states to each atom in CaF2.Calcium is a Group 2 metal. Group IIA metals have an oxidation of 2.Fluorine is a halogen or Group VIIA element and has a higher electronegativity than calcium. According to rule 8, fluorine will have an oxidation of -1.Check our values using rule 9 since CaF2 is a neutral molecule:2 (Ca) (2 x -1) (2 F) 0 True.Answer: The calcium atom has an oxidation state of 2 and the fluorine atoms have an oxidation state of -1.Problem: Assign oxidation states to the atoms in hypochlorou s acid or HOCl. Hydrogen has an oxidation state of 1 according to rule 4.Oxygen has an oxidation state of -2 according to rule 5.Chlorine is a Group VIIA halogen and usually has an oxidation state of -1. In this case, the chlorine atom is bonded to the oxygen atom. Oxygen is more electronegative than chlorine making it the exception to rule 8. In this case, chlorine has an oxidation state of 1.Check the answer:1 (H) -2 (O) 1 (Cl) 0 TrueAnswer: Hydrogen and chlorine have 1 oxidation state and oxygen has -2 oxidation state.Problem: Find the oxidation state of a carbon atom in C2H6. According to rule 9, the sum total oxidation states add up to zero for C2H6.2 x C 6 x H 0Carbon is more electronegative than hydrogen. According to rule 4, hydrogen will have a 1 oxidation state.2 x C 6 x 1 02 x C -6C -3Answer: Carbon has a -3 oxidation state in C2H6.Problem: What is the oxidation state of the manganese atom in KMnO4?According to rule 9, the sum total of oxidation states of a neutral molecule equal zero. K Mn (4 x O) 0Oxygen is the most electronegative atom in this molecule. This means, by rule 5, oxygen has an oxidation state of -2.Potassium is a Group IA metal and has an oxidation state of 1 according to rule 6.1 Mn (4 x -2) 01 Mn -8 0Mn -7 0Mn 7Answer: Manganese has an oxidation state of 7 in the KMnO4 molecule.Problem: What is the oxidation state of the sulfur atom in the sulfate ion - SO42-.Oxygen is more electronegative than sulfur, so the oxidation state of oxygen is -2 by rule 5.SO42- is an ion, so by rule 10, the sum of the oxidation numbers of the ion is equal to the charge of the ion. In this case, the charge is equal to -2.S (4 x O) -2S (4 x -2) -2S -8 -2S 6Answer: The sulfur atom has an oxidation state of 6.Problem: What is the oxidation state of the sulfur atom in the sulfite ion - SO32-?Just like the previous example, oxygen has an oxidation state of -2 and the total oxidation of the ion is -2. The only difference is the one less oxygen. S (3 x O) -2S (3 x -2) -2S -6 -2S 4Answer: Sulfur in the sulfite ion has an oxidation state of 4.