Question about finding the oxidation state

[jjunior]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello, im confused on how to find the oxidation state of certain compounds, like carbonyls.
for other compounds such as [Al(OH)4]-1 , the oxidation of Al is +3, bc we assign O as -2 and H as +1 right?
but for compounds like acetone COCH3CH3, how do i find the oxidation state of the carbons for example using the above method? because in TBR, they show a diff method, based on the relative electronegativity between 2 linking atoms.
thanks~🙂

 

[oxelhs]

I've been wondering the same thing. Seems like it doesn't work if you try using the first method on carbonyls...

 

[Sterling Archer]

Well, for organic compounds you know the structure so you have to assign oxidation states accordingly
For acetone:
Carbons one and three: Both of these carbons are attached to three hydrogens and one carbon, so the sum of the oxidation states of the atoms around these carbons is 3(+1) + 1(0) = +3, therefore these carbons have a -3 oxidation state. (hydrogen bonded to carbon is +1 and a carbon bonded to itself is 0)

Carbon 2: This carbon is bonded to one oxygen and two carbons, so the sum of the oxidation states of atoms around this carbon is 1(-2) + 2(0) = -2, therefore this carbon has an oxidation state of +2.