CHEM 1701: Assigning Oxidation Numbers

Use with this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81WdyqvLlVA

Examples Notes

Fe (s) Fe (l) S8 (s) These are all

RULE 1: elements.
=0 =0 =0
Pure elements Their state – solid,
H2 (g) Xe (g) P4 (s) liquid, gas – doesn’t
=0 matter
=0 =0 =0
H 2O HCl HCOOH Sometimes
RULE 2: +1 +1 hydrogen isn’t +1
+1 +1
Hydrogen is but we won’t use
C2H6 C6H12O6 H2 any of those
always +1 examples…
+1 +1 =0
RULE 3: Sometimes oxygen isn’t
H 2O HCOOH C6H12O6
Oxygen is -2 -2 -2 -2
-2 but we won’t use
those examples…
always -2
Follow Rules #1, 2, 3, then do some math…
RULE 4: Find Fe
Fe2O3
Other atoms get -2 2Fe + 3(– 2) = 0
2Fe – 6 = 0
the charge they 2Fe = 6
prefer (their ionic Fe = 3
charge), as long ClO3- Overall Find Cl
-2 charge is -1 Cl + 3(– 2) = – 1
as the SUM of all Cl – 6 = –1
the oxidation Cl = – 1 + 6
Cl = 5
numbers equals
the overall NaH2PO4 Find P
+1 +1 -2 1 + 2(1) + P + 4(– 2) = 0
charge on the 1+2+P–8=0
Sodium gets its preferred P=–1–2+8
particle. charge of +1 P=5