What is the oxidation number of chlorine in ClO4?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the oxidation number of chlorine (Cl) in the compound ClO4 (perchlorate ion). To determine the oxidation number, we need to consider the overall charge of the ion and the known oxidation states of oxygen.
Answer
The oxidation number of chlorine in ClO₄ is +7.
Answer for screen readers
The oxidation number of chlorine in ClO₄ is +7.
Steps to Solve
- Identify the overall charge of the ion
The perchlorate ion, ClO₄, has an overall charge of -1.
- Know the oxidation state of oxygen
In most compounds, the oxidation number of oxygen is -2.
- Set up the equation for the oxidation number
Let the oxidation number of chlorine (Cl) be $x$. Since there are four oxygen atoms in ClO₄, their total contribution is $4 \times (-2) = -8$.
- Combine the contributions
The equation for the overall charge can be set up as: $$ x + (-8) = -1 $$
- Solve for $x$
Rearranging the equation gives: $$ x - 8 = -1 $$
Adding 8 to both sides results in: $$ x = 7 $$
- Conclusion
The oxidation number of chlorine in ClO₄ is +7.
The oxidation number of chlorine in ClO₄ is +7.
More Information
The oxidation state of +7 for chlorine is its highest oxidation state, indicating that it is in a strong oxidizing state. The perchlorate ion is commonly encountered in various chemical reactions and applications.
Tips
Common mistakes include:
- Assuming the oxidation number of oxygen is +2 instead of -2.
- Forgetting to account for the overall charge of the ion when setting up the equation.
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