What is the oxidation state of Cl in ClO2?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the oxidation state of chlorine (Cl) in the compound ClO2. To solve this, we need to consider the known oxidation states of oxygen and set up an equation to find the oxidation state of chlorine.
Answer
+4
The final answer is +4
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is +4
More Information
The oxidation state of an element in a compound is determined by considering the standard oxidation states of other elements and ensuring the total charge of the compound matches its actual charge. For ClO₂, with oxygen typically having an oxidation state of -2, chlorine must balance this with +4.
Tips
A common mistake is confusing the oxidation state of different chlorine oxides like ClO₂⁻ (chlorite) and ClO₂ (chlorine dioxide). Ensure you’re calculating for the correct compound.
Sources
- What is the oxidation state of chlorine in ClO₂ - socratic.org
