Exampes and Problems with no answers
Problem #16: HIO3, the iodine has an oxidation state of:
The three oxygens total to −6 and the hydrogen adds a +1, leaving −5 to be offset by the iodine. The iodine has an oxidation state of +5.
Problem #17: S2O32¯, thiosulfate:
Three oxygens, each of which is −2, total to −6. Since −2 is left over, a total of −4 must be offset by the two sulfurs. Each sulfur has an oxidation state of +2.
Problem #18: What is the oxidation state of all free elements? Another way to ask this is to say that the elements are in their uncombined state.
Zero.By the way, molecular elements (the seven diatomics plus O3, P4, and S8) are considered to be uncombined. Elements are only considered combined when they are bonded to at least one other (different) element.
Problem #19: Determine the oxidation state of P in P2O5.
The five oxygens total to −10. Each P is +5.
Problem #20: Determine the oxidation state of S in Al2S3.
Aluminum takes on a +3 oxidation state in all common aluminum-containing compounds. Examples include AlCl3 and Al2O3.Sulfur can take on several different oxidation states. When it is alone and in the nonmetal position of a binary compound, it takes on a −2 oxidation state. An example of this is Na2S.
In this compound, there are two Al, for a total of +6. The three S must, therefore, total to −6. That means each S is a −2.
Problem #21: Determine the oxidation state of Te in Sc2Te3.
The compound H2Te is known to exist, which means that Te has an oxidation state of −2 when acting as a nonmetal.The presence of three Te means a total negative oxidation state of −6.
To offset this (and make the formula have a charge of zero), each Sc must be a +3.
Problem #22: Determine the oxidation state of Si in SiF62¯.
The F is a −1. We know this from the existence of HF. Six of the yields a total of −6. In order to have −2 left over, the Si must be a +4
Problem #23: All monatomic ions have oxidation states equal to the ______.
(a) difference of protons and electrons
(b) number of protons
(c) number of electrons
(d) difference of protons and neutronsThe answer is (a). Examples include Na+, Ca2+ and F¯.
Problem #24: On rare occasions, oxidation states do not have to be whole numbers. Determine the oxidation state for S in S4O62¯.
There are six O, which contribute a total of −12 in oxidation state. Since −2 is left over, that leaves −10 to be offset by the four sulfurs.Each sulfur is, therefore, +10⁄4. Reduced would be +5⁄2 (also seen as +2.5).
In truth, the four sulfurs would have a total of +10 oxidation state and each oxidation state on the four atoms would be a whole value. For example, if three S were each +2 and one S was a +4, this would total up to +10. Chemical substances do not have fractional oxidation states.
Problem #25: What are the oxidation states for each Mn in Mn3O4? For each Fe in Fe3O4?
Four oxygens gives a total of −8 in oxidation state.The three Mn atoms must each have an integer oxidation state. This is satisfied if two Mn are each a +3 and the third Mn is a +2.
For iron (II, III) oxide, the answer is the same: two iron atoms are each a +3 and one Fe atom is a +2.
Problem #26: In which compound does hydrogen have an oxidation state of −1?
(a) NH3
(b) KH
(c) HCl
(d) H2O
Solution:
1) The correct answer is (b).
2) Some discussion:
You might get led into a wrong conclusion by ammonia, since the hydrogen comes last in the formula. However, coming last in the formula is a historical accident and must not be taken to indicate that hydrogen is a −1 in ammonia. Remember that hydrides are composed of a metal and hydrogen. Nitrogen is a non-metal. CH4 is an example of another compound that is not a hydride, even though hydrogen is written last.KH is the hydride, a chemical compound of a metal and hydrogen. NaH and CaH2 are other examples of hydrides.
Problem #27: In which compound does oxygen have an oxidation state of −1?
(a) O2
(b) H2O2
(c) H2O
(d) OF2
(e) KO2
Solution:
1) The correct answer is (b).
2) Some discussion:
Peroxide is O22¯, so each oxygen is considered to have a −1 oxidation state.A possible answer is superoxide, O2¯. Note that in superoxide, each oxygen is considered to have an oxidation state of −1⁄2 as opposed to one oxygen having a −1 and one oxygen having an oxidation state of zero.
Superoxide is a good example of oxidation states simply being bookkeepping. The two oxygens in superoxide do not literally each have a charge of −1⁄2, yet we are forced to use −1⁄2 if we ask the oxidation state on each oxygen.
More correctly, the two oxygen entity that is superoxide has a −1 charge that is distributed over the entire unit of two oxygens and is not the sole property of one or the other oxygen atoms. see below for a bit more discussion.
By the way, the charge on the oxygen in OF2 is +2. Fluorine is stronger than oxygen in attracting electrons to itself and so forces oxygen into playing the positive role in oxidation states. The next halogen down (chlorine) is weaker than oxygen in attracting electrons, so its formula is Cl2O. Oxygen has an oxidation state of −1 and chlorine is pushed into having an oxidation state of +1.
Problem #28: Superoxide is not commonly mentioned in introductory chemistry classes. It is the polyatomic ion O2¯. KO2 is the most well-known of the superoxides. What are the oxidation states on each oxygen in the superoxide anion?
Solution:
It appears that, within the superoxide, each oxygen must have an oxidation state of −1⁄2.The ChemTeam thinks, but is not 100% sure, that the electronic structure of the superoxide anion is such that one O has an oxidation state of zero and the other O has an oxidation state of −1. The fact that there are, then, two resonance structures of superoxide leads to an average of −1⁄2 for each oxygen atom.
Problem #29: Some chemical compounds have one (or more) atoms in them where the oxidation state is zero. An example of this is glucose, C6H12O6.
Solution:
The six oxygens (each at an oxidation state of −2) total up to −12.The twelve hydrogens (each at an oxidation state of +1) total up to +12.
+12 and −12 add to zero.
Therefore, the six carbons are zero for their total oxidation state contribution.
Problem #30: What is the oxidation state of P in HPO42¯?
Solution:
H contributes +1.Four O contribute a total of −8.
−2 must be left over, so P must be +5
Problem #31: What is the oxidation number of rhenium in Ca(ReO4)2?
Solution:
1) We know that calcium takes on a +2 oxidation number. We can demonstrate that as follows:
We know CaCl2 exists and that Cl is a −1. The evidence that Cl is a −1 comes from HCl. We know that H is a +1, therefore Cl must be a −1
2) Removing Ca from the formula leaves us with ReO4¯
Oxygen is always a −2 (with exceptions, which do not apply here. Four oxygens totals −8 in oxidation number
3) In order for the perrhenate anion to have an over all charge of −1, the Re must be a +7.
Problem #32: For which substance is the oxidation number of vanadium the same as that in the VO3¯ anion?
(a) VN (b) VCl3 (c) VOSO4 (d) VF5
Solution:
1) VO3¯ has a total of −6 from the oxygen. To leave −1 overall, the V must be a +5.
2) I recommend you examine the simpler molecules first. For example, looking at VCl3 should lead you right to V being +3. Not the correct answer.
3) VF5 is the correct answer. We know F is ALWAYS a −1, which leads immediately to V being +5.
4) This approach allowed us to never have to contemplate the more complicated VOSO4 molecule. The V is a +4 and you may figure that out by yourself (hint: what is the overall charge on the sulfate anion?)
Problem #33: What is the oxidation number of Mo in MoO2Cl2?
Solution:
1) Cl contributes −2 and O contributes −4.
2) Mo is +6.
Problem #34: In which species does sulfur have the lowest oxidation state?
(a) SCl2 (b) OSF2 (c) H2SO3 (d) SF6
Solution:
1) Examine SCl2 first since it is the simplest. S is a +2.
2) This is probably the correct answer since all the other molecules have lots of negative stuff (O, F) attached, meaning S will be in a higher oxidation state. For example, S is a +6 in SF6.
Problem #35: What is the oxidation number of carbon in CH2Cl2?
Solution:
Chlorine contributes −2. Hydrogen contributes +2.
The oxidation state of carbon in this compound is zero.
Problem #36: Chlorine is in a +1 oxidation number in:
(a) HCl (b) HClO4 (c) ICl (d) Cl2O
Solution:
The solution is left to the reader.
Bonus Problem: What is the oxidation state and coordination number of rhodium in the coordination compound K[RhCl(OH)(C2O4)2] ⋅ 6H2O?
Solution:
The coordination number (the number of coordinate covalent bonds between the ligands and the Rh ion) is 6. There are two bonds to each oxalate ion and one to OH¯ and one to the Cl¯ ions. (This isn't part of the redox rules material, so I won't delve into it further.)The complex ion (everything inside the square brackets) has a charge of −1. We know this from the fact that it bonds with one potassium, which always has an oxidation state of +1.
Since the sum of oxidation states must equal the charge on the ion:
Rh + Cl¯ + OH¯ + 2C2O42¯ = −1Rh + (−1) + (−1) + (−4) = −1
Rh = +5