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 Zn C Mg Ag H2 O2 Cl2

Oxidation number 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

the oxidation number for monoatomic ion is

equal to its charge

Monoatomic ion H+ Fe2+ Mn2+ Fe3+ Cr3- O2- N3-

Oxidation number +1 +2 +2 +3 -1 -2 -3
 the sum of oxidation numbers of all elements in
the compound is zero

Compound H2SO4 KMnO4 SO2 Na2SO4 K2Cr2O7

Oxidation number
0 0 0 0 0

the sum of oxidation number of all elements in

polyatomic ions is equal to the charge of the
ions

Polyatomic
NH4+ SO42- MnO4- Cr2O72- S2O32- Fe(CN)63-
ion
Oxidation
+1 -2 -1 -2 -2 -3
number
Calculate the oxidation numbers for the underlined
elements.
(i) SO2 [compound]
[refer to rules
above]
Sum of oxidation
Element S O
numbers
Number of element 1 2
0
Oxidation number x -2
[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
Sum of oxidation
Element H S O
numbers
Number of element 2 1 4
0
Oxidation number +1 x -2

2(+1) + 1(x) + 4(-2) = 0

2+ x - 8 = 0
x = +6
Thus;
Oxidation number of S in H2SO4 = +6
(iii) Na2S2O3
Sum of oxidation
Element Na S O
numbers
Number of element 2 2 3
0
Oxidation number +1 x -2

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
Sum of oxidation
Element N H
numbers
Number of element 1 3
0
Oxidation number x +1

1(x) + 3(+1) = 0
x = -3
Thus;
Oxidation number of N in NH3 = -3
(v) S2O32- [polyatomic ion]
[refer to rules
above]
Sum of oxidation
Element S O
numbers
Number of element 2 3
-2
Oxidation number x -2

2(x) + 3(-2) = -2
2x - 6 = -2
x = (6 2) /2
x = +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) = +1
x + 4 = +1
x = 1 - 4
x = -3
Thus;
Oxidation number of N in NH4+ = -3

Exercises;
Calculate the oxidation numbers for the underlined
elements.

i. KMnO4 potassium manganate(VII)

ii. MnO4-
iii. K2Cr2O7 Potassium dichromate(VI)
iv. Cr2O72-

Answer:
i. KMnO4

Sum of oxidation
Element K Mn O
numbers
Number of element 1 1 4
0
Oxidation number +1 x -2

1(+1) + 1(x) + 4(-2) = 0

1 + x 8 = 0
x = +7
Thus;
Oxidation number of Mn in KMnO4 = +7

ii. MnO4-
Element Mn O Sum of oxidation
 numbers
Number of element 1 4
-1
Oxidation number x -2

1(x) + 4(-2) = -1
x 8 = -1
x = +7
Thus;
Oxidation number of Mn in KMnO4 = +7

iii. K2Cr2O7
Sum of oxidation
Element K Cr O
numbers
Number of element 2 2 7
0
Oxidation number +1 x -2

2(+1) + 2(x) + 7(-2) = 0

2 + 2x 14 = 0
2x = 12
2x = 12 / 2
x = +6
Thus;
Oxidation number of Cr in Cr2O72- = +6

iv. Cr2O72-
Element Cr O Sum of oxidation
 numbers
Number of element 2 7
-2
Oxidation number x -2

2(+1) + 2(x) + 7(-2) = 0

2 + 2x 14 = 0
2x = 12
2x = 12 / 2
x = +6
Thus;
Oxidation number of Cr in Cr2O72- = +6

Easy lah!

Prepared by;
Kamal Ariffin Bin Saaim
SMKDBL