Easy Oxidation/Reduction problem

[purplepanda]

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I am doing something really weird. I usually get these right, but I think I'm missing some crucial information..

Cu(NO3)2 What is the oxidation number of the Cu?

When I do it, N=2x-3 and O=6x-2 So you get Cu with a positive 12+6=18?!

What am I doing wrong?

Thank you guys!

 

[nze82]

I am doing something really weird. I usually get these right, but I think I'm missing some crucial information..

Cu(NO3)2 What is the oxidation number of the Cu?

When I do it, N=2x-3 and O=6x-2 So you get Cu with a positive 12+6=18?!

What am I doing wrong?

Thank you guys!

Cu(NO3)2 is an ionic compound, so it dissociates into Cu2+ and 2 NO3-
In case of Ionic compounds, always set each component equal to it's charge and solve for the oxidation number:

Cu = 2+ (Oxidation number of Cu is 2+, which is equal to it's charge)

Now let's say you want to determine the oxidation number of N:

N + 3(-2) = -1 .... Note that -1 is the charge of the NO3- component.

N - 6 = -1
N = -1 + 6
N = +5

Hope this helps!

 

[purplepanda]

Oh my gosh...wow..lol I cannot believe I didn't see that?! Thank you so much! 😀