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Chemistry LibreTexts

Oxidation Number

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The oxidation number or oxidation state of an atom in a molecule or a polyatomic ion is the charge it would bear if all its bonds to unlike atoms were ionic bonds.

eg. 1: Methane

oxidationnumber1.png

There are no bonds connecting like atoms in the methane molecule.
electronegativity: C > H

oxidationnumber2.png

eg. 2: Acetaldehyde

oxidationnumber3.png

There is one bond connecting like atoms in the acetaldehyde molecule, the carbon-carbon bond.
electronegativity: O > C > H

oxidationnumber4.png

eg. 3: Nitric acid

oxidationnumber5.png

There are no bonds connecting like atoms in the nitric acid molecule.
electronegativity: O > N > H

oxidationnumber6.png

eg. 4: Periodate ion

oxidationnumber7.png

There are no bonds connecting like atoms in the periodate ion.
electronegativity: O > I

oxidationnumber8.png

see also oxidation, reduction


This page titled Oxidation Number is shared under a All Rights Reserved (used with permission) license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Gamini Gunawardena via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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