Hi,
I was looking at other posts (from last year) about oxidation numbers (for example 3.23 in the book) and they said for Cl, the oxidation number could be +7 or -1 in order to reach an octet in bonds. When elements bond together, does the oxidation number used just depend on which elements are involved? Like using +7 or -1?
Oxidation Number & Bonds
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Re: Oxidation Number & Bonds
I would believe so? Sort of like whichever value is easiest to achieve with the elements at hand to achieve the desired results
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Re: Oxidation Number & Bonds
Yup! I think the oxidation numbers are essentially a way to keep track of how many electrons an atom has, thus, depending on the other atoms involved.
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Re: Oxidation Number & Bonds
Cl will basically always become Cl- (oxidation number -1) to achieve a full octet. Gaining one electron is much easier than losing 7 electrons. Some other elements, however, have almost equally likely oxidation states. One example is Cu, which can become Cu+ (oxidation number +1) or Cu2+ (oxidation number 2+).
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Re: Oxidation Number & Bonds
Also, I think that the group where an element is located plays a role in its bonding. So to reinforce the previous post, Cl usually tries to gain one more electron to get a full octet because it is a halogen (Group 7).
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Re: Oxidation Number & Bonds
Seeing as the question asks for a maximum and a minimum oxidation number, can there be an intermediary oxidation number or must the answer be +7 and/or -1?
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Re: Oxidation Number & Bonds
I dont think there is an intermediary because If it gained any less than 7 electrons/lost any more than 1 it would no longer have an octet
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