Monday, May 24, 2010

How would i find the oxidation number of C in CO, CO2, CH2O, CH4O, C2H6O, and Na2CO3?

i am not grasping the concept of oxidation numbers.. at all , help would be much appreciated thank you

How would i find the oxidation number of C in CO, CO2, CH2O, CH4O, C2H6O, and Na2CO3?
The sum of oxidation no. of all atoms = the overall charge of the molecule.





Normally,





O.S of O= -2


O.S of H= +1





O.S of Na= +1 (since it's existing as Na+1)





eg.


let x be O.S of C in C2H6O


2x+6(+1)+(-2)=0


x=-2


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