Oxidation number

Definition: The oxidation number of an element is the charge that the atom of the element would have if complete transfer of electron occurs Tips from the rules: the oxidation number for atom and molecule is zero
Atom or molecule Oxidation number

Zn 0

C 0

Mg 0

Ag 0

H2 0

O2 0

Cl2 0

the oxidation number for monoatomic ion is equal to its charge

H+ +1 Fe2+ +2 Mn2+ +2 Fe3+ +3 Cr3-1 O2-2 N3-3

Monoatomic ion Oxidation number

the sum of oxidation numbers of all elements in the compound is zero

H2SO4 KMnO4 0 0 SO2 0 Na2SO4 0 K2Cr2O7 0

Compound Oxidation number

the sum of oxidation number of all elements in polyatomic ions is equal to the charge of the ions
NH4+ SO42- MnO4- Cr2O72- S2O32+1 -2 -1 -2 -2 Fe(CN)63-3

Polyatomic ion Oxidation number

Calculate the oxidation numbers for the underlined elements. (i) SO2 [compound]
[refer to rules above]

Element Number of element Oxidation number

S 1 x

O 2 -2

Sum of oxidation numbers 0

[let the unknown oxidation number is equal to x]

1(x) + 2(-2) = 0 x - 4 = 0 x = +4 Thus; Oxidation number of S in SO2 = +4 (ii) H2SO4 Element Number of element Oxidation number H 2 +1 S 1 x O 4 -2 Sum of oxidation numbers 0

2(+1) + 1(x) + 4(-2) = 0 2+ x - 8 = 0 x = +6 Thus; Oxidation number of S in H2SO4 = +6

(iii) Na2S2O3 Element Number of element Oxidation number Na 2 +1 S 2 x O 3 -2 Sum of oxidation numbers 0

2(+1) + 2(x) + 3(-2) = 0 2 + 2x - 6 = 0 x = 4 2 = +2 Thus; Oxidation number of S in Na2S2O3 = +2 (iv) NH3 Element Number of element Oxidation number N 1 x H 3 +1 = 0 x = -3 Sum of oxidation numbers 0

1(x) + 3(+1)

Thus; Oxidation number of N in NH3 = -3

(v) S2O32- [polyatomic ion]

[refer to rules above]

Element Number of element Oxidation number

S 2 x

O 3 -2 = = = =

Sum of oxidation numbers -2

2(x) + 3(-2) 2x - 6 x x

-2 -2 (6 2) /2 +2

Thus; Oxidation number of S in S2O32- = +2 (vi) NH4+ : ammonium ion [polyatomic ion] Sum of oxidation Element N H numbers Number of element 1 4 +1 Oxidation number x +1 x(1) + 4(+1) x + 4 x x = +1 = +1 = 1 - 4 = -3

Thus; Oxidation number of N in NH4+ = -3

Exercises; Calculate the oxidation numbers for the underlined elements. i. ii. iii. iv. KMnO4 potassium manganate(VII) MnO4K2Cr2O7 Potassium dichromate(VI) Cr2O72-

Answer: i. KMnO4 Element Number of element Oxidation number K 1 +1 Mn 1 x O 4 -2 Sum of oxidation numbers 0

1(+1) + 1(x) + 4(-2) = 0 1 + x 8 = 0 x = +7 Thus; Oxidation number of Mn in KMnO4 = +7 ii. MnO4Element Mn O Sum of oxidation numbers

Number of element Oxidation number

1 x

4 -2

-1

1(x) + 4(-2) = -1 x 8 = -1 x = +7 Thus; Oxidation number of Mn in KMnO4 = +7 iii. K2Cr2O7 Element K Cr 2 x O 7 -2 = = = = = 0 0 12 12 / 2 +6 Sum of oxidation numbers 0 Number of element 2 Oxidation number +1

2(+1) + 2(x) + 7(-2) 2 + 2x 14 2x 2x x

Thus; Oxidation number of Cr in Cr2O72- = +6 iv. Cr2O72Element Cr O Sum of oxidation numbers

Number of element Oxidation number

2 x

7 -2 = = = = =

-2 0 0 12 12 / 2 +6

2(+1) + 2(x) + 7(-2) 2 + 2x 14 2x 2x x

Thus; Oxidation number of Cr in Cr2O72- = +6 Easy lah!

Prepared by; Kamal Ariffin Bin Saaim SMKDBL