Oxidation Numbers

[Kenneth Dang 3I]

I know that molecules like to create bonds and structures that result in the most neutral formal charge. Is the same true for oxidation numbers? Are molecules with less charge separation in terms of oxidation numbers more stable?

[faith14B]

I guess you could say less charge means more stable because its losing/gaining less electrons. If they only need to get or get rid of a few electrons usually it is more stable. Oxidation number is more the amount of electrons you lose or gain to be stable. So if it is not a noble gas (because they are very stable dont need an addition of take away of electrons), it will most likely not have an oxidation number of 0.