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The number indicates the degree of oxidation of each element caused by molecular bonding. In ionic molecules, the oxidation numbers are the same as the element's ionic charge. Thus for KCl, potassium is assigned +1 and chlorine is assigned -1. [4] The complete set of rules for assigning oxidation numbers are discussed in the following sections.
In the NO − 3 anion, the oxidation state of the central nitrogen atom is V (+5). This corresponds to the highest possible oxidation number of nitrogen. Nitrate is a potentially powerful oxidizer as evidenced by its explosive behaviour at high temperature when it is detonated in ammonium nitrate (NH 4 NO 3), or black powder, ignited by the shock wave of a primary explosive.
Oxidation states are unitless and are also scaled in positive and negative integers. Most often, the Frost diagram displays oxidation state in increasing order, but in some cases it is displayed in decreasing order. The neutral species of the pure element with a free energy of zero (nE° = 0) also has an oxidation state equal to zero. [2]
The oxidation states are also maintained in articles of the elements (of course), and systematically in the table {{Infobox element/symbol-to-oxidation-state}}
In the above equation, the Iron (Fe) has an oxidation number of 0 before and 3+ after the reaction. For oxygen (O) the oxidation number began as 0 and decreased to 2−. These changes can be viewed as two "half-reactions" that occur concurrently: Oxidation half reaction: Fe 0 → Fe 3+ + 3e −; Reduction half reaction: O 2 + 4e − → 2 O 2−
An atom (or ion) whose oxidation number increases in a redox reaction is said to be oxidized (and is called a reducing agent). It is accomplished by loss of one or more electrons. The atom whose oxidation number decreases gains (receives) one or more electrons and is said to be reduced. This relation can be remembered by the following mnemonics.
In aqueous solutions, redox potential is a measure of the tendency of the solution to either gain or lose electrons in a reaction. A solution with a higher (more positive) reduction potential than some other molecule will have a tendency to gain electrons from this molecule (i.e. to be reduced by oxidizing this other molecule) and a solution with a lower (more negative) reduction potential ...
Oxidative addition is favored for metals that are (i) basic and/or (ii) easily oxidized. Metals with a relatively low oxidation state often satisfy one of these requirements, but even high oxidation state metals undergo oxidative addition, as illustrated by the oxidation of Pt(II) with chlorine: [PtCl 4] 2− + Cl 2 → [PtCl 6] 2−