# What oxidation state does Aluminium have in NaAlO₂?

I guess that sodium loses an electron so has an oxidation state of +1 and that oxygen has an oxidation state of −2. But what oxidation state does the aluminium atom have in sodium aluminate ($\ce{NaAlO2}$)?

For every compound the sum of the oxidation states of the constituent atoms must be equal to the charge of the compound. So, since your compound is neutral the individual oxidation states have to add up to $0$. And as you have already determined the oxidation states of 2 atoms in the system the last one must be $+3$, since $1 + 3 - 2 \cdot 2 = 0$.
• @LievenB Aluminum is situated in the 3rd main group. So it has 3 valence electrons. Now in $\ce{NaAlO2}$ it has an oxidation state of $+3$ meaning (loosely speaking) that it gives away it's three electrons. Sodium is has an oxidation state of $+1$, so it gives away one electron. The two oxygen atoms, being much more electronegative than the metals take these four electrons and thus have an oxidation state of $-2$ each. – Philipp Aug 29 '13 at 14:04
• No, $\ce{NaAlO2}$ consists of the anion $\ce{AlO_{2}^{-}}$ and the cation $\ce{Na+}$. Aluminum will be in the center between the two oxygens. Sodium is only some kind of counterion and will have the highest probability density at one of the two oxygens. – Philipp Aug 29 '13 at 14:30
• Even found a picture of $\ce {NaAlO2}$ here: img1.guidechem.com/chem/e/dict/37/7758-17-0.jpg – Tomcat Aug 30 '13 at 10:37