What is the oxidation number of Cl in ClO4-?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the oxidation number of chlorine (Cl) in the compound ClO4-. To determine this, we can use the rules for assigning oxidation numbers, particularly that the sum of the oxidation numbers must equal the charge of the ion.
Answer
+7
The oxidation number of Cl in ClO4- is +7.
Answer for screen readers
The oxidation number of Cl in ClO4- is +7.
More Information
In the perchlorate ion (ClO4-), the chlorine is bonded to four oxygen atoms, and each oxygen atom has an oxidation state of -2. Given the overall charge of the ion is -1, chlorine must have an oxidation state of +7 to balance the -8 from the four oxygen atoms.
Tips
A common mistake is not considering the overall charge of the ion while calculating the oxidation states.
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