transition metals

[pepocho]

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[tdod]

No, you absolutely do not need to know transition metals

you must know that, in order:
elementals have an oxidation # of 0
F, in a compound has an oxidation of –1
H has an oxidation of +1, unless bound to metals
O has an oxiation of –2, unless its a peroxide, in which case it is –1.

should probably also know that alkali and alkaline earth metals are usu. +1 and +2

 

[Czarcasm]

If you remember the ranking order of oxidation states, you should be fine.

 

[pepocho]

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[Teleologist]

No, you absolutely do not need to know transition metals

you must know that, in order:
elementals have an oxidation # of 0
F, in a compound has an oxidation of –1
H has an oxidation of +1, unless bound to metals
O has an oxiation of –2, unless its a peroxide, in which case it is –1.

should probably also know that alkali and alkaline earth metals are usu. +1 and +2

Meh, useless. If you had realized that oxidation numbers were simply a formalism holding that all bonds were ionic, then you would simply be able to use electronegativity considerations to assign oxidation numbers. A lot easier than memorizing arbitrary rules. EN considerations easily explain why oxygen has an oxidation state of -2 and -1 instead in peroxides. EN considerations also explain any other oxidation state without your having to memorize a single rule. You'll forget a rule before I screw up an electronegativity consideration. There is no "most" or "usually" or "sometimes" rules with EN; EN always wins because it's the underlying concept in assigning oxidation numbers.

 

[tdod]

Meh, useless. If you had realized that oxidation numbers were simply a formalism holding that all bonds were ionic, then you would simply be able to use electronegativity considerations to assign oxidation numbers. A lot easier than memorizing arbitrary rules. EN considerations easily explain why oxygen has an oxidation state of -2 and -1 instead in peroxides. EN considerations also explain any other oxidation state without your having to memorize a single rule. You'll forget a rule before I screw up an electronegativity consideration. There is no "most" or "usually" or "sometimes" rules with EN; EN always wins because it's the underlying concept in assigning oxidation numbers.

i never said anything about memorization or understanding. i just answered his question.