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Multiple Choice
Calculate the oxidation number for the indicated carbon atom.
A
+1
B
0
C
−1
D
+2
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the carbon atom whose oxidation number needs to be calculated. In the given structure, it is the central carbon atom bonded to two chlorine atoms and one hydrogen atom.
Recall that the oxidation number is a hypothetical charge that an atom would have if all bonds to atoms of different elements were 100% ionic. For carbon, we assign electrons in each bond to the more electronegative atom.
Chlorine is more electronegative than carbon, so in each C-Cl bond, the electrons are assigned to chlorine. This means the carbon loses one electron per C-Cl bond.
Hydrogen is less electronegative than carbon, so in the C-H bond, the electrons are assigned to carbon. This means the carbon gains one electron from the C-H bond.
Calculate the oxidation number: Carbon loses 2 electrons from the two C-Cl bonds and gains 1 electron from the C-H bond, resulting in an overall oxidation number of +1 for the carbon atom.