oxidation numbers for ligands

[Rylee Nelsen 3A]

I am confused as to how you calculate the oxidation number for ligands in a coordinate compound? If someone could give an example that would be greatly appreciated!

[Jeffrey Xiao 4A]

Well, oxidation number can be calculated from the charges of the ligands and the overall charge of the coordinate compound,
Example: [Fe(NCS)(OH2)5]2+ ,OH2 is neutral so it is not included in the calculations, there is one NCS which is an anionic ligand with -1 charge so this means the iron metal must have a +3 charge to make it so that the entire compound will end up with an overall charge of +2 (3-1=2). I'm assuming you meant the oxidation number for the metal not the ligands since the oxidation number of the ligands is just the charge of the anionic ligand.

[Charles Gu 1D]

In order to find oxidation numbers you have know the oxidation numbers of at least most of the molecule and then match the charge of the molecule.