What is the oxidation number of ClO4?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the oxidation number of the chlorate ion (ClO4). To solve this, we need to apply the rules for calculating oxidation states, considering the typical oxidation states of oxygen and the overall 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-), each oxygen has an oxidation number of -2, which totals -8. Because the overall charge is -1, chlorine must have an oxidation number of +7 to balance the charge.
Tips
One common mistake is to forget to account for the overall charge of the ion when calculating the oxidation states.
Sources
- What is the oxidation number of oxygen in ClO4 - quora.com
- ClO4- - CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY - Laurence Lavelle - lavelle.chem.ucla.edu
- What is the oxidation of Cl in "perchlorate anion", ClO_4^(-)? | Socratic - socratic.org