Oxidation numbers: the rules

1. The oxidation number of a pure element (atom of molecule) is zero

When in compounds, the other rules apply.

2. Oxygen is always -2 in compounds (except for in peroxide, where it’s -1)

3. Group 1, 2 and 3 are +1, +2 and +3 respectively.

4. Group 7 is usually -1, (but can be different if combined with oxygen).

5. Hydrogen is usually +1

6. The total of all the oxidation states in a formula equals 0 in neutral

compounds, but equal to the overall charge if the formula is an ion.

Assign oxidation numbers to the following atoms.

MgO OH-
1x O = - 2, 1x O = - 2,
1 x Mg = …… 1xH = ……
Total =0 Total = -1

Fe2O3 BaO2

3x O = - 6, 2x O = - 4,
2 x Fe = …….. so 1 x Fe = 1 x Ba =………..
Total = 0 Total = 0

FeCl2 NH3
 NO2 N2O4

CO3 2- H2SO4

ZnO H2O

KNO3 CuO

Cu2O HNO3

Challenge?
KMnO4 Na2Cr2O7 LiAlH4 ClO3-