Oxidation Number Chemistry Example 2

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Example 2

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Assign oxidation numbers to each atom in KMnO4\text{KMnO}_4 and determine the oxidation number of manganese.

Solution

  1. 1
    K = +1+1 (Group 1 metal), O = −2-2.
  2. 2
    Let Mn = xx: +1+x+4(−2)=0+1 + x + 4(-2) = 0.
  3. 3
    1+x−8=0⇒x=+71 + x - 8 = 0 \Rightarrow x = +7.

Answer

K: +1,  Mn: +7,  O: −2\text{K: } +1,\; \text{Mn: } +7,\; \text{O: } -2
Manganese in permanganate has the unusually high oxidation state of +7+7. This makes KMnO4\text{KMnO}_4 a powerful oxidizing agent, as Mn can readily accept electrons to lower its oxidation state.

About Oxidation Number

A number assigned to each atom in a compound using a set of rules, representing the hypothetical charge that atom would carry if all bonds.

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More Oxidation Number Examples

Example 1 easy

Assign oxidation numbers to each element in [formula].

Example 3 easy

What is the oxidation number of nitrogen in [formula]?

Example 4 hard

In the reaction [formula], determine the oxidation number of iron and carbon on each side. Which ele

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