Calculate Oxidation State of Acetate (C2H3O2)

  • Thread starter Thread starter alijan kk
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Oxidation State
AI Thread Summary
Calculating the oxidation state of polyatomic ions, such as acetate (C2H3O2), involves understanding the contributions of each atom within the ion. The oxidation state is not a fixed property of an element but varies depending on the specific atom's environment in the molecule. For acetate, the calculation can be complex due to the presence of carbon and hydrogen, which can share electrons. The general approach involves assigning known oxidation states to oxygen (-2) and hydrogen (+1) and then solving for carbon's oxidation state to ensure the overall charge of the ion is accounted for. This highlights the challenges in determining oxidation states in organic molecules, where electron sharing complicates the calculations.
alijan kk
Messages
130
Reaction score
5
how to calculate , oxidation state of polyatomic ions like " acetate"

C2H3O2

2(4)-3-4= +1 ?

how do we know when carbon or hydrogen are sharing x electrons
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
alijan kk said:
how to calculate , oxidation state of polyatomic ions like " acetate"

Of which element ?
 
Oxidation number is not property of an element, but of an atom.

Especially in organic molecules this can be quite tricky.
 
Borek said:
Oxidation number is not property of an element, but of an atom.

Especially in organic molecules this can be quite tricky.

True. I messed it up, no excuses :(.
 
Thread 'How to make Sodium Chlorate by Electrolysis of salt water?'

Thread 'How to make Sodium Chlorate by Electrolysis of salt water?'

I have a power supply for electrolysis of salt water brine, variable 3v to 6v up to 30 amps. Cathode is stainless steel, anode is carbon rods. Carbon rod surface area 42" sq. the Stainless steel cathode should be 21" sq. Salt is pure 100% salt dissolved into distilled water. I have been making saturated salt wrong. Today I learn saturated salt is, dissolve pure salt into 150°f water cool to 100°f pour into the 2 gallon brine tank. I find conflicting information about brine tank...
View full post »

Thread 'Ruthenium-Iridium compound with catalytic effects'

Engineers slash iridium use in electrolyzer catalyst by 80%, boosting path to affordable green hydrogen https://news.rice.edu/news/2025/engineers-slash-iridium-use-electrolyzer-catalyst-80-boosting-path-affordable-green Ruthenium is also fairly expensive (a year ago it was about $490/ troy oz, but has nearly doubled in price over the past year, now about $910/ troy oz). I tracks prices of Pt, Pd, Ru, Ir and Ru. Of the 5 metals, rhodium (Rh) is the most expensive. A year ago, Rh and Ir...
View full post »

Similar threads

How to balance an equation for the incomplete combustion of acetic acid?
Replies
1
Views
2K
Oxidation States of Molecules and Atoms and the Relationship with Charges
Replies
1
Views
2K
Counting d-electrons in M(I) transition metals
Replies
4
Views
2K
Iron Oxidation States: Fe+2, Fe+3 & Fe- Explained
Replies
6
Views
4K
Electron transfer and oxidation state
Replies
11
Views
3K
What factors determine an atom's oxidation state?
Replies
15
Views
3K
What are the Oxidation States of Carbon in Sebacic Acid and Propylene Glycol?
Replies
5
Views
2K
Cleaning copper connections for high precision instruments
Replies
22
Views
10K
Chemistry How Can XPS and ESR Determine Oxidation State in Coordination Compounds?
Replies
5
Views
3K
Understanding Polyatomic Ion Charges and Number of Oxygen
Replies
2
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top