Question

If the oxidation state of H is +1 and O is −2, what is the oxidation state of C in C2H4O? −1 +2 +1 −2

Answer 1

-1

Step-by-step explanation:

The sum of the oxidation states of all the atoms in a neutral compound is zero. Then the following equation must be satisfied:

number of atoms of C * oxidation state of C + number of atoms of H * oxidation state of H + number of atoms of O * oxidation state of O = 0

Replacing with data and calling the unknown x, we get:

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

2*x + 2 = 0

x = (-2)/2

x = -1

Answer 2

It should be noted that a neutral compound has an overall oxidation state of zero. This means that the sum of the oxidation states of each individual component multiplied by the number of atoms of that component must be equal to zero. For C2H4O, excluding the oxidation state of C, H4 gives a value of +4, and O gives a value of -2. This gives the compound a temporary oxidation value of +2. This means that in order for the compound to be neutral, C must have an oxidation state of -2. Since there are 2 atoms of C, its oxidation state must be -1.