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Oxidation Number Assignment Rules

Rules for assigning oxidation numbers include: 1. Elements in their free state have an oxidation number of zero. Hydrogen is +1 except in metal hydrides where it is -1, and oxygen is -2 except in peroxides and OF2. 2. The metallic element in an ionic compound has a positive oxidation number equal to its charge. The nonmetallic element has a negative number equal to its charge. 3. In covalent compounds the more electronegative element is assigned the negative number following the electronegativity scale. The document outlines the system for assigning oxidation numbers to elements in compounds based on their bonding nature and position in the periodic table.

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105 views1 page

Oxidation Number Assignment Rules

Rules for assigning oxidation numbers include: 1. Elements in their free state have an oxidation number of zero. Hydrogen is +1 except in metal hydrides where it is -1, and oxygen is -2 except in peroxides and OF2. 2. The metallic element in an ionic compound has a positive oxidation number equal to its charge. The nonmetallic element has a negative number equal to its charge. 3. In covalent compounds the more electronegative element is assigned the negative number following the electronegativity scale. The document outlines the system for assigning oxidation numbers to elements in compounds based on their bonding nature and position in the periodic table.

Uploaded by

Kyla Angelle
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

RULES FOR ASSIGNING OXIDATION NUMBERS

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1. All elements in their free state (uncombined with other elements) have an oxidation number of zero (for
example, Na, Cu, Mg, H2 , O2 , Cl2 , N2 ).

2. H is +1, except in metal hydrides, where it is -1 (for example, NaH, CaH2 )

Na : H

Electrons in the bond are assigned to H, the more electronegative atom.


Na appears to have lost one electron, so its oxidation number is +1.*
H appears to have gained one electron, so its oxidation number is -1.*

3. O is -2, except in peroxides, where it is -1, and in OF2 , where it is +2.

@@ @@
H : O : O : H
@@ @@

Electrons in the H-O bonds are assigned to the O.


Electrons in the O-O bond are divided equally between the two O atoms.
H appears to have lost one electron, so its oxidation number is +1.*
Each O appears to have gained one electron, so its oxidation number is -1.*

@@ @@ @@
: F : O : F :
@@ @@ @@

Electrons in the F-O bonds are assigned to the F.


Both atoms of F appears to have gained 1 electron each, so the oxidation number for each is -1.*
The oxygen appears to have lost 2 electrons, so its oxidation number is +2.*

*When compared to the electrically neutral atom.

4. (a) The metallic element in an ionic compound has a positive oxidation number. For monoatomic
cations, the oxidation number is equal to the charge on the ion. For example, Na+ , Ca2+ , Al3+ , Fe3+ ,
etc.

(b) The nonmetallic element in an ionic compound has a negative oxidation number. For monoatomic
anions, the oxidation number is equal to the charge on the ion. For example, Cl-, S2-, N3-, etc.

5. In covalent compounds, the negative oxidation number is assigned to the most electronegative atom:

F > O > N > Cl > Br > I > S > C > H >>> metals

6. The algebraic sum of the oxidation numbers of elements in a compound is zero.

CaF2 H2 SO4
+2 + 2(-1) = 0 2(+1) + S + 4(-2) = 0
Find S = +6 for ox. no. of S

7. The algebraic sum of the oxidation numbers of the elements covalently bound into a polyatomic ion is
equal to the charge of the ion.

NH4 + HPO3 2-
-3 + 4(+1) = +1 +1 + P + 3(-2) = -2
Find P = +3 for ox. no. of P

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