Questions tagged [oxidation-state]
Oxidation state is a concept, which assigns hypothetical charges to atoms in compounds. This tag should be applied to questions which relate to that concept or to oxidation states in atoms of compounds.
282
questions
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Speeding up the rusting/oxidation process of various metals using ferric chloride? [on hold]
So I have ferric chloride etching solution here is the datasheet for the product I have: https://download.altronics.com.au/files/datasheets_H0800D.pdf
I have 4 types of metal; stainless steel metal, ...
2
votes
0answers
40 views
Structure and oxidation state of bridging complexes
I am confused about the structure of bridging complexes with the bridging ligands as $\ce{OH-}$ or $\ce{NH2-}.$ Aren't they both monodentate ligands?
And if they form a simple coordinate bond, then ...
5
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1answer
46 views
What happens to the carbon in carbon steel when it rusts?
Carbon steel is iron containing some carbon in various forms of iron carbide.
When it rusts (oxidises), the iron becomes part of all kinds of crystalline and amorphous iron oxides and hydroxides, ...
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0answers
22 views
Amphoterism and the Metal and Non-Metal Oxides/Hydroxides. Why does amphoterism occur in these? [closed]
I am having trouble understanding why Beryllium Oxide and Aluminum Oxide are amphoteric. Also, while they are not oxides, Aluminum and Beryllium Chloride as well.
Most of the things I have been ...
0
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0answers
35 views
Why is there visible liquid (possibly water) on matches when they're burning?
I was just burning a normal standard match and I observed visible liquid running down the wooden shaft as the fire burns and consumes it, what could explain such phenomenon ? could it be that the wood ...
0
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2answers
37 views
What is the physical meaning of fractional oxidation numbers of elements in compound
Many times I encounter oxidation numbers like -1 in the peroxide for oxygen, -1/2 in superoxide, and in some other compounds some elements have 8/3 or such like that...what is the physical meaning of ...
2
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0answers
32 views
Oxidising nature of hydrogen peroxide [closed]
It is said that $\ce {H2O2}$ behaves like a reducing agent in an external oxidizing environment but along with $\ce {H2SO4}$ a strong oxidizing agent it oxidizes $\ce {FeSO4}$ to $\ce {Fe2(SO4)3}$ in ...
-2
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1answer
29 views
Are there processes of electric discharge to oxide As(III) into As(V)? [closed]
I want to know if there were any known experiment of electric discharge to oxyde the ion arsenic(III) into the ion arsenic(V).
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0answers
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Nitrate reaction with iron minerals
I am trying to find literature or an answer to what happens to nitrate as it comes in contact with iron oxides. Does the nitrate get reduced to ammonium in all cases of iron(II/III) oxides? What is ...
7
votes
1answer
87 views
Reference for electronegativities of different metal oxidation states
A long time ago I was researching the effect of the self regulatory response in Fe and Co. I found that my results made sense based on the idea of the electronegativity of the ions considered. I found ...
1
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2answers
85 views
Unusual oxidation numbers for alkaline earth metals?
Are there compound of alkaline earth elements showing unusual oxidation numbers? For the sake of the question, every oxidation number different from +2 counts as unusual, most exciting would be ...
3
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1answer
67 views
Are there known compounds of caesium with oxidation number >1?
Given that the left neighbor of caesium, xenon, does have fluorides and oxides, it is not inconceivable that caesium can have oxides or fluorides with an oxidation number higher than 1. Are such ...
2
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1answer
47 views
How to find oxidation state of Co and Cr in [Co(NH₃)₄(NO₂)₂][Cr(NH₃)₃(NO₂)₃]?
Which of the following options represents the oxidation state of $\ce{Co}$ and $\ce{Cr}$ in the given complex?
$$\ce{[Co(NH3)4(NO2)2][Cr(NH3)3(NO2)3]}$$
(A) $2, 3$
(B) $3, 2$
(C) $3, 3$
...
0
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0answers
99 views
Finding the n-factor of C₂O₄²⁻
In the reaction $\ce{C2O4^2- → CO2}$ the $n$-factor of $\ce{C2O4^2-}$ is:
So I think the answer to this question is $2$ because in $\ce{C2O4^2-}$ the oxidation number of carbon is $+3$ and in $\ce{...
1
vote
1answer
66 views
Negative oxidation state
Why doesn’t aluminum have negative oxidation states? In almost all compounds of aluminum which I know of has positive oxidation state.
It has valence EC [Ne] 3s2 3p1 , my teacher told it usually ...
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1answer
47 views
Why oxidation state decreases
oxides of group 1 elements are Li2O , Na2O2 , KO2 , RbO2
Oxygen’s oxidation state in each compound is -2 , -1 , -1/2 ,-1/2 respectively I.e oxide-> peroxide-> superoxide
my question
The oxidation ...
0
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0answers
24 views
Why do heavier d block elements are more stable in higher oxidation states than lighter d block elements? [duplicate]
I read that it is because it is easier to ionise the elements as the electrons involved are those of d orbitals which have same degeneracy. First of all, i found it very vague. Secondly, what about ...
2
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0answers
28 views
Reactivity of Ni Vs. Pd - available oxidation states
I'm hoping someone can help me tighten up my understanding of the origins of the differences between Ni and Pd catalysis.
I understand that Ni has higher charge density and this is the reason for it'...
0
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0answers
28 views
Can an element have variable oxidation states in a compound?
Take propanoic acid for example. If I assign oxidation states to the 3 carbons in it using the idea that the more electronegative element gets all the electrons in the bonds it makes, the 3 carbons ...
2
votes
1answer
421 views
How to determine the greatest d orbital splitting?
This question comes specifically from an IB Chemistry HL Paper 1 in May 2018 TZ1, namely question 8.
Which complex has the greatest d orbital splitting?
It gives 4 Complexes $\ce{[Fe(H_2O)_6]^{2+}}$,...
1
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2answers
263 views
Why is phosphorus (v) oxides molecular formula P4O10 and not P2O5 [duplicate]
I understand that the name derives from the empirical formula; however, I do not understand why it does not exist as $\ce{P2O5}$. Is there a compound that exists with this as its molecular formula?
4
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1answer
118 views
Unusual oxidation states of alkali metals
When going through list of oxidation states on Wikipedia I encounterd there that sodium, potassium, rubidium and caesium exhibit oxidation states of -1, but not lithium, even though its ...
3
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1answer
408 views
Why BiCl5 isn't stable?
I read this in a textbook:
$\ce{Bi(V)}$ is very unstable and is a good oxidizing agent.
Why does it happen that way? Is it because in $\pu{+5}$ oxidation state $\ce{Bi}$ pulls in more electrons ...
3
votes
1answer
294 views
What is the oxidation state of bromine in BrO3?
I came across this compound $\ce{BrO3}$ in my textbook, and was trying to find the oxidation state of bromine.
This is how I proceeded:
Since this is not a superoxide or a peroxide, or any other ...
0
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2answers
60 views
Is the reaction involving a proton transfer a redox reaction?
$$
\begin{align}
\ce{H2S (aq) + NH3 (aq) &→ NH4+ (aq) + HS- (aq)}\tag{1}\\
\ce{Pb(s) + 2 FeCl3 (aq) &→ 2FeCl2 (aq) + PbCl2 (aq)}\tag{2}
\end{align}
$$
Which of the following statements ...
1
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2answers
236 views
Oxidation states of boron
I have just been looking at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_oxidation_states_of_the_elements and found that boron has a -5 oxidation state. I would like to know which boron compounds form ...
0
votes
1answer
36 views
Identifying if reaction is reduction or oxidation. Is there an error in this question?
I am looking at this reaction:
I am trying to determine if it is reduction or oxidation.
In the initial molecule I calculate the overall oxidation numbers as:
...
1
vote
1answer
86 views
Can superoxide ion act as a ligand in a similar fashion as peroxide?
There is a question in my chemistry book:
Find oxidation state of platinum ion in the complex $\ce{[Pt(O2)(en)2Br]+}$.
My books says that there is peroxide, but I want to ask why it is peroxide? ...
1
vote
1answer
88 views
Pale blue species forming during electrolysis of NaHCO3
I have a solution of 3500 ml $\ce{H2O}$ + 454 g $\ce{NaHCO3}$ in electrolysis at a potential of 12.5V using a lead anode and copper cathode. The surface areas aren't measured but they are enormous. I ...
0
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0answers
45 views
Comparing the number of oxidation states of Vanadium and Arsenic
USNCO 2004 Question 45 states:
Which element exhibits the greatest number of oxidation
states in its compounds?
(A) Ca (B) V (C) Cu (D) As
I ruled out Ca, as I know it only exists as +2. I ...
0
votes
3answers
710 views
Oxidation state of Mn in MnO₄⁻
I have tried to understand what the oxidation state for Mn in $\ce{MnO4^-}$ is. So far i have understood that O have the oxidation state of -2 so because there is 4 O the number turns to -8. What ...
4
votes
4answers
474 views
Which is more reactive, chlorine radical or chloride ion?
Ions are very reactive for obvious reasons (i.e. Coulomb force); $\ce{Cl-}$ ions will be very quick to form an ionic bond with positive ions (unless inhibited, e.g. through being in a solution; let's ...
0
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0answers
109 views
Oxidation state of N in NO from resonance
I know from a textbook that nitrogen has an oxidation state of +II in NO, and this is easily verified if O is assigned -II.
However, if one looks at the resonance structure and assigns covalent ...
2
votes
1answer
56 views
My confusion regarding Hydrogen peroxide
In Hydrogen peroxide, the oxidation number of oxygen is "-1" instead of "-2".
But it seems to me that, the oxygen atoms have '-2' as their oxidation number as each oxygen atom here is connected to a ...
-1
votes
1answer
814 views
Oxidation No. of Fe and NO in Nitroprusside ion [duplicate]
For the complex $\ce{[Fe(CN)5NO]^{2-}}$ wikipedia cites that the oxidation no. of Fe is +2 and that of NO is +1. CN being -1 the net charge thus becomes -2. However at certain places I read that NO is ...
1
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2answers
51 views
Materials used in cooktop heating element, and reason for black appearance
I have been interested in the structure of heating elements/coils used in cooktops. I am referring to something such as in the following picture:
I have a cooktop at home with such elements, and at ...
3
votes
1answer
174 views
Stability of 3d metal fluorides and iodides in different oxidation states
I read that the fluorides of 3d metals in lower oxidation states, e.g. $\ce{VF2}$, $\ce{TiF2}$, and $\ce{CuF}$ are thermodynamically unstable. For example, $\ce{CuF}$ disproportionates to $\ce{Cu + ...
0
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1answer
126 views
How to predict ease of oxidation or reduction for a given oxidising or reducing agent? [closed]
I have never understood which agent will be able to oxidize or reduce which type of reactants and yield which type of products will be formed. For example I want to know about DIBAL-H and how is it ...
9
votes
2answers
156 views
Are such high oxidation states as reported by Vojovodic et al. possible?
I am a student in theoretical chemistry and I am confused about the paper: Trends in adsorption of electrocatalytic water splitting intermediates on cubic $\ce{ABO3}$ oxides (Montoya, J. H.; Doyle, A. ...
1
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0answers
117 views
What are the oxidation states of galium and arsenic in GaAs semiconductor?
According to the book I'm referring to ("S.M. Sze Semiconductor Devices"), gallium has an oxidation state of +1 and arsenic has that of -1. This should not be possible as each of these elements forms ...
1
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0answers
42 views
Why is this redox reaction possible?
I have the redox reaction $\ce{N_2H_4 {(g)} + N_2O_4 {(g)} -> N_2 {(g)} + H_2O {(g)}}$.
In $\ce{N_2O_4 {(g)}}$, the oxidation state of nitrogen is $+4$. In $\ce{N_2 {(g)}}$, the oxidation state of ...
-1
votes
2answers
62 views
Why is it a reduction from a ketone to an alcohol? [closed]
Why is it a reduction from a ketone to an alcohol (using $\ce{LiAlH4}$)? I'm not able to figure out the oxidation state of carbon.
0
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1answer
541 views
Why is the oxidation state of Co -1 in [Co(CO)4]-?
In $\ce{[Co2(CO)8]}$, most people say the charge of $\ce{Co}$ is 0. How does it become $\ce{[Co(CO)4]-}$?
Most answers would say that $\ce{Co}$'s charge becomes -1. How does this work? -1 is not ...
-1
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1answer
426 views
Why does iron lose exactly 3 electrons in oxidation?
I'm not a chemist, but I have this question. Why does iron (Fe atom) lose three electrons when exposed to oxygen for the first time? Why doesn't it lose less than or more than three electrons?
-2
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1answer
705 views
Why is oxidation number of Ba not +2 in this case? [closed]
According to redox rules, column 2 elements (alkali earth metals) have an oxidation number of +2, but in this reaction: $\ce{Ba + Cl2 -> BaCl2}$, the oxidation number of $\ce{Ba}$ changes from $0$ ...
-1
votes
1answer
32 views
How does something like elemental oxygen oxidize anything if each atom's valence shell is full? [duplicate]
Been learning in biology about $\ce{O2}$'s role as an oxidizing agent, but I don't really understand how $\ce{O2}$ can take electrons from anything if it's not reactive....
5
votes
1answer
114 views
Is it possible for the iodine atom in periodate ester to be octavalent?
Recently, I was reading Clayden's Organic Chemistry (2nd ed.) and I chanced upon this diagram on p. 443 (as shown below) showing an octavalent iodine in the periodate ester. I found this rather ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
Why oxides with the element in higher oxidation state are more acidic
We see this trend of acidic-basic property of oxides in most cases:
$\ce{Mn2O7}$ is acidic, $\ce{MnO}$ is basic, the intermediate oxides are progressively less acidic and more basic, as the oxidation ...
-1
votes
1answer
61 views
Prevent/Slow down oxidation of organic material
I'm having the hobby to draw paintings with the tea I drink trough the day. Usually I pour a tablespoon of the hot tea away, wait until it dries and gets more concentrated, so the colour is more ...
1
vote
1answer
160 views
Can Cl(g) cause quick rusting? [closed]
I'm actually digging in something that comes from Syria...
How does Chlorine cause metal to get rusted?
It's full of pictures of rockets (allegedly filled with chlorine gas) that are all rusted. In my ...
