What is the oxidation number of carbon in CO?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the oxidation number of carbon in the compound carbon monoxide (CO). To determine the oxidation number, we need to consider the typical oxidation states of the involved elements and the overall charge of the molecule.
Answer
+2
The final answer is +2
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is +2
More Information
In carbon monoxide (CO), the oxidation number of oxygen is typically -2. Since the total oxidation state of the molecule must be 0, the oxidation state of carbon is +2.
Tips
Common mistakes include assuming the oxidation number of carbon is the same in all carbon compounds, which can vary widely.
Sources
- The web page with info on - Chemistry LibreTexts - chem.libretexts.org
- Chemistry Q&A - Byju's - byjus.com
- What is the oxidation state of CO? - Quora - quora.com
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